§ 13. Miss Burtonasked the President of the Board of Trade what action has been taken concerning the evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for Coventry, South, on 15th February last, dealing with false claims made by toothpaste manufacturers; and when he expects to be in a position to make a statement on the action he is taking.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)After taking expert advice, my right hon. Friend has come to the conclusion that the available evidence would not support a prosecution under the Merchandise Marks Acts.
§ Miss BurtonIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the British Dental Association will be very disappointed at that result? Is he further aware that the Association has said that this advertisement of Colgate's is a definite infringement of fact? Does he propose to allow these toothpaste manufacturers to get away with it?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI think that the hon. Lady misunderstands the position of the British Dental Association, which has been consulted in this matter. It is a fact that it deprecates the form of advertisement, which it thinks may be the result of inadequate evidence, but it is not prepared to say that the claim is false.