HC Deb 12 February 1986 vol 91 cc951-2
16. Mr. Kirkwood

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce legislation to prohibit the registration as trade marks of commonly used national emblems.

Mr. Pattie

The Government have no intention of introducing legislation to amend the law on that subject.

Mr. Kirkwood

Is the Minister aware that that answer will be greeted with great disappointment north of the border? Is he aware that The Scotch House has recently acquired the exclusive patent rights to the use of the lion rampant, which is an insignia that has been used for many years by a wide range of knitwear manufacturers in Scotland? Will he reconsider the decision and try to restore the lion rampant to the public domain?

Mr. Pattie

The position is not as the hon. Gentleman describes. The Scotch House has registered a lion as its trade mark, but it is not, as has been suggested in some quarters, the lion of Scotland. The lion of Scotland is a national emblem and cannot be registered as a trade mark. The Scotch House has simply registered a lion as a trade mark. Many lions exist in different forms. I happen to have here many examples of different lions. It is open to the hon. Gentleman's constituents and the companies involved to submit other designs—

Mr. John Smith

Other lions.

Mr. Pattie

Provided that the test of distinctiveness can be satisfied, that mark would also be registered.

Mr. Marlow

Would it not be a good idea if cars assembled within the United Kingdom were stamped with the Union Jack? Would that not help the general public, who are desperately keen to buy British cars?

Mr. Pattie

I am sure that my hon. Friend's suggestion will be noted in the appropriate quarters.

Mr. Haynes

Is the Minister aware that while he is sitting on his backside in the Department, many products carrying the Union Jack mark are being dumped on our shores and they are not even made here? I want to know what he is going to do about it.

Mr. Pattie

I do not believe that that arises out a question about the lion of Scotland, but it is an important issue and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will table a question about the matter next time.