§ 14. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give details concerning prosecutions undertaken by his Department under the Merchandise Marks Acts since 1st August, 1953, against firms alleged to have applied false trade descriptions, such details to include trade descriptions in respect of which summonses were issued, and such penalties as may have been imposed by the courts.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftSince 1st August, my Department has brought 34 charges against 21 firms alleged to have applied false trade descriptions. Seventeen firms were committed on 25 charges. Fines ordered to be paid and costs were approximately £700. I am arranging for a statement to be sent to the hon. Member setting out the details for which she asks.
§ Miss BurtonMay I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on this notable achievement, which hon. Members on this side of the House have been urging upon him for a very long time? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that most of these cases could have been avoided if producers had been compelled to label their goods satisfactorily, and could not the Board of Trade give a lead in that direction?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftAs the hon. Lady knows, there is an honest difference between us. I do not believe in compulsory marking and the hon. Lady does.