§ 3.8 p.m.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lords, I beg to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations have been made to the Japanese Government in respect of exports of Japanese manufactured woollen piece goods incorporating stamped and woven selvages in the English language to deceive buyers and customers that they are purchasing United Kingdom cloth.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORT-FOLIO (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)My Lords, Her Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo made representations to the Japanese Government on this matter in 1956. As a result, the Japanese Government informed Her Majesty's Government that they had taken steps to ensure that Japanese wool textile manufacturers affiliated to the International Wool Textile Organisation complied with the provisions of the Code of Fair Trading of the Organisation. I understand that the Japanese Government is at present discussing with the Japanese industry complaints about the practices of certain Japanese firms which are not affiliated to the International Wool Textile Organisation. Our Ambassador in Tokyo is being asked to keep in touch with the Japanese Government about this.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMy Lards, may I thank the noble Earl for his Answer? I think he will agree that this is another example of the flagrant attitude of Japanese manufacturers and exporters to what is regarded as international fair trade. I think the noble Earl will also agree that woollen piece goods, or any article, may be exported by a country using English characters, but on all occasions must stipulate the country of origin.
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEYes; that is the provision which is binding on firms which are affiliated to the International Wool Textile Organisation, but not on others.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, are Her Majesty's Government trying to insist that it should be binding on all, whether they are affiliated to this organisation or not?
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEECertainly, my Lords. Our position is a little delicate, because United Kingdom manufacturers are not obliged by United Kingdom legislation to conform to the requirements of the Code, and there is thus some difficulty about our asking other Governments to enforce it by law. But we are certainly willing to do everything we can, through our Embassy in Tokio, to further the interests of the United Kingdom industry, and also, of course, the principle of honesty in the marking of goods.
§ VISCOUNT ALEXANDER OF HILLSBOROUGHWill Her Majesty's Government initiate legislation here in order that they may be in a firm position to carry out the negotiations?
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEI think the noble Viscount must put down another Question about new legislation.
§ LORD SHEPHERDMay I ask the noble Earl whether it is not a fact that one of the greatest assistances in the selling of British woollen goods is the fact that the selvages have on them the wards "Made in England"?
LORD REAMy Lords, could the noble Earl say whether this difficult position has arisen in respect of other goods, and in other countries; and whether we have co-operated with those other countries to get the matter rectified?
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEI cannot say, without notice, to what extent the position has arisen with regard to other goods, 925 but we are certainly doing our best to co-operate with other countries to get agreement on this matter.