HC Deb 20 July 1973 vol 860 cc1015-6

Lords Amendment: No. 7, in page 3, line 30, at end insert: Provided that paragraphs (b) and (c) of this subsection shall not apply if after the making of the addition, alteration or repair the article has been re-assayed and struck with any further approved hallmark.

Mr. Wiggin

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said amendment.

This proviso is to make clear that if an article has some improper alteration made to it, but it is then reassayed and struck with any further approved hallmark which the Assay Office may require, the alteration ceases to be an offence.

The Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Mr. Peter Emery)

I think that this point should be clarified. The amendment makes it clear that no offence is committed if an alteration has been made once it has been resubmitted. That is a point of some importance. Indeed, in Committee my hon. Friend the Member for Weston-super-Mare (Mr. (Wiggin) produced certain illustrations which had some historic interest where hallmarks had been altered and, if re-assayed, could still be submitted as silver or as gold. This minor change is of some small historic significance. It seems sensible that the amendment should be made.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendments agreed to.

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