§ 5. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, on imported articles, stick-on labels which bear the name of the country of origin comply with his regulations; and whether he is satisfied that they are a proper method of indicating the manufacturers and country of origin.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftOrders in Council made under the Merchandise Marks Act, 504 1926, always specify the manner in which the indication of origin should be applied. In some instances an adhesive label is allowed. The law does not require manufacturers' names to be indicated.
§ Mr. SmithDoes that mean that it is in order to import pottery and textiles with no stamp showing the country in which they were manufactured?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftEach article of pottery has to be marked indelibly by stamping, printing, embossing or impressing.
§ Mr. SmithIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a large quantity of pottery is being exported from Japan to the American market with different markings of origin? Will he consult the interested organisations with a view to making representations to the authorities in the United States about this?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftOur legislation does not run in the United States.
§ 6. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent under his regulations merchants and manufacturers abroad can import into this country pottery or textiles marked "Foreign," "Empire," or with the country of origin, to suit their own convenience; and whether he will amend the Merchandise Marks Acts to enable a stricter control to be exercised.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftThese alternatives are permissible under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, and the Orders in Council issued thereunder, requiring marking of origin on imported textile piece goods and pottery.
§ Mr. SmithIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the administration of the Merchandise Marks Act?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftYes. I think the law as laid down in the Merchandise Marks Acts is administered satisfactorily.
§ Mr. SwinglerDoes the President not remember that we raised this very point during the passage of the Act and tried to insist that the name of the country of origin should be marked on the goods, and that we were given an assurance that the situation would be much improved? It seems that these practices are still continuing.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThis Question refers to the 1926 Act.