§ 29. Mr. Burdenasked the President of the Board of Trade how many prosecutions took place in 1961 for failure to comply with the requirements of the Merchandise Marks Act.
§ Mr. ErrollIt is open to anyone to take proceedings under the Merchandise Marks Acts, and I have no record of the total number of such proceedings in 1961. The Board of Trade prosecuted in nineteen cases.
§ Mr. BurdenWill not my right hon. Friend try to accumulate these figures, because they show how many manufacturers and which type of manufacturer are disregarding this very important Act, which was passed to ensure that proper quality and fitness for purpose were maintained in merchandise sold to the public here and overseas?
§ Mr. ErrollI do not think that the amount of work involved would be justified by the relatively small results which, as far as I can see at present could be achieved.
Mrs. SlaterDoes the right hon. Gentleman take the same attitude on this question as he takes to the question of foreign goods being put into British packages? Is not that a deliberate deluding of the public as to the type of goods they are buying? Should not his Department be taking some action about it?
§ Mr. ErrollIf the hon. Lady or my hon. Friend will give me the details of any particular matters I will see that they are looked into.