HC Deb 05 July 1956 vol 555 cc1522-3
24. Mr. Burden

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that British exports are suffering unfair competition in that tweed cloth made in Germany is being sold in Scandinavia bearing the description, "Woven in the Highlands", in English on the selvedge; and if he will make representations to the West-East German Governments to have this unscrupulous practice brought to an end.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I was not aware of this practice, but if my hon. Friend will let me have details, I shall be glad to look into the matter.

Mr. Burden

Has not the attention of my right hon. Friend been drawn to the recent statement by a Bradford manufacturer at the Bradford Round Table that he had actually seen on the selvedge of merchandise made in Germany the words in English, "Made in the Highlands" and that these efforts to imitate such well-known quality articles as Harris tweed cause a great deal of concern to those who manufacture them?

Mr. Thorneycroft

If I could be given full details of the whereabouts of this cloth and who are the manufacturers, I shall be happy to look into the matter.

Lieut.-Colonel Lipton

Will the President also have a look at the alleged "Scotch whisky" made in and exported from Japan?