SECOND READING. (Hansard, 1 August 1905)

§ EARL SPENCER

My Lords, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill, I do not think it is necessary for me to go into a long description of it. It is principally a consolidation Bill, and I understand there is no opposition to it on the part of His Majesty's Government. The Bill has been before a Select Committee of the House of Commons. It gives greater latitude to the definition of a trade mark. The law with regard to appeals is hardly altered at all. The Manchester clause dealing with cotton marks is included. There is also a provision to prevent persons making an improper use of the Royal Warrant. I understand that there is no opposition to the Bill, and I beg to move that it be read a second time

§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Duke of MARLBOROUGH)

My Lords, I only rise to say that His Majesty's Government very willingly give their assent to the Second Reading of this measure. I understand that the more important of its provisions have been prepared with a view to meeting the representations which have been made by the chambers of commerce and by other trade societies. During the passage of the Bill through the other House, the Board of Trade took a sympathetic interest in it, and the Permanent Secretary of the Board of Trade gave evidence before the Committee to which the noble Earl has referred embodying the views of his Department. The result of the deliberations of the Committee has been to make considerable improvements in the Bill itself, but at the same time I must tell the noble Earl that the Government will have some Amendments to move when the Committee stage is reached. I believe that those Amendments are not of a controversial character, and there is no reason why they should delay the time of your Lordships' House. If 1072 the Government Amendments are accepted, there is no doubt that this Bill will strengthen an important branch of the law, and that it will be of considerable value and utility in commercial circles.