§ 45. Mr. Malcolm MacPhersonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that imported cast-iron enamelled baths have been permitted to be offered for sale without the appropriate legal requirements having been complied with; and what steps he intends to take.
§ Mr. H. StraussThe British Bath Manufacturers' Association informed the Board of Trade that a consignment of imported cast-iron porcelain enamelled baths had been exposed for sale in contravention of the Merchandise Marks (Imported Goods) No. 2 Order, 1928, made under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926. It is open to the Association, or to any person, to institute proceedings, and it is not a case in which, in our opinion, it would be appropriate for the Government to take action.
§ Mr. MacphersonIn view of the fact that the Government have previously taken action in cases which appeared to be similar to this, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why this is not a case in his opinion for taking action?
§ Mr. StraussI think that the hon. Member is in error about that. It is always for consideration who are the appropriate people to take action, but in cases of this kind the trade association have been the normal party to take action. The statute of 1891 gives some indication of the cases where the Board of Trade should prosecute but, in our opinion, this is eminently a case where the prosecution could be more fittingly conducted by the trade association concerned.