HC Deb 08 June 1961 vol 641 cc1379-80
34. Mr. Dance

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce legislation to bring up to date existing legislation dealing with hall-marking and gold covered articles.

Mr. Maudling

I am at present considering the Report of the Stone Committee on these subjects in the light of the various views I have received since its publication. I think that new comprehensive legislation is desirable but cannot say when it will be introduced.

Mr. Dance

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that the Report of the Departmental Committee on Hall-marking was presented in March, 1959? Can he give me any indication whether its recommendations are to be accepted? Is he further aware that the trade is extremely keen that hallmarking of quality plated goods should be introduced, as the trade believes that this would help greatly in its export drive?

Mr. Maudling

I agree that new legislation is desirable on this subject, but I do not think that I should be right to foreshadow at this stage what it would contain.