HC Deb 01 May 1952 vol 499 c1632
9. Mr. Gerald Williams

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the cost of a fabric has to be made in Britain for it to be ranked under his regulations as British made.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

There is no regulation governing the marking of cloth with the words "British made." In any particular case it would be for the courts to decide whether such a marking constituted a false trade description under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887.

Mr. Williams

Does not the Minister think it is time that regulations were laid down so that we know where we are, in describing things as "British made"?

Mr. Thorneycroft

On the whole it is better to do this under statute than by regulation.