§ 30. Mr. Burdenasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that some branded blankets on sale to the public, details of which have been sent to him by the hon. Member for Gillingham, are so weak that they are liable to come apart in handling; and if he will make inquiries with a view to prosecution under the Merchandise Marks Act.
§ Mr. ErrollI am making inquiries and will write to my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. BurdenWill my right hon. Friend give greater attention to this matter? If blankets are sold and are, as the Shopper's Guide stated, so weak that they are liable to come apart in ordinary handling—and are sold in the home market—some action can be taken. But if they are sold in overseas markets they automatically set up a consumer resistance to British merchandise on a very much wider scale than the merchandise which is actually affected.
§ Mr. ErrollI shall be glad to include what my hon. Friend has said in the inquiries I propose to make.
§ Mr. GowerCan my right hon. Friend confirm that any aggrieved private citizen can initiate proceedings under existing legislation? Should not a strong, self-reliant people like the British be prepared to act in this way in matters of this kind?
§ Mr. ErrollMy hon. Friend is certainly right, and I hope that the public will use the rights which they possess under the appropriate legislation.