§ 3. Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieuasked the President of the Board of Trade what conclusions he has come to in his reconsideration of the difficulties arising from the operation of the Trade Marks Acts; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaudlingI understand that the hon. Member is referring to the Answers which I gave to him and to the hon. Member for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Wade) on 11th July. Since then, directors of both companies concerned have expressed to officials of my Department their sense of the importance of avoiding any confusion on the part of the public between their respective products. When discussions are complete, I will write to the hon. Member.
1619 I have given a direction that when an application is made for the registration of a mark for non-alcoholic drinks and some similar foodstuffs a search should be made for similar marks registered for such things as drugs, disinfectants and cleaning materials. The converse will also apply.
§ Mr. MallalieuI thank the right hon. Gentleman very much.