§ LORD CAWLEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they intend to introduce legislation to clarify the law as to merchandise marks in view of the fact that it is now nine years since Lord Goddard said in the case of Slatcher v. Mence Smith:
Those who are responsible might well consider whether new legislation should not be introduced to set out the law on this matter in clear language which lay justices and others concerned with its administration could understand."]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have no plans at present for introducing legislation on this subject; but the working of the existing merchandise marks legislation is at present being reviewed by a Committee on Consumer Protection, under the chairmanship of Mr. J. T. Molony, Q.C.
§ LORD CAWLEYMy Lords, whilst thanking the noble Earl for his Answer, I would ask: is he not aware that the Merchandise Marks Acts are part of the criminal law, and it is extremely unsatisfactory that prosecutors and accused alike should not know what the law is?
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, a great number of criticisms of these Acts have come to the notice of the Board of Trade, and these, including Lord Goddard's criticism mentioned in the Question, have been referred to by the Board of Trade in their evidence to the Committee on Consumer Protection.
§ LORD CAWLEYMy Lords, I hope the noble Earl will be able to tell me in the near future that some legislation is contemplated.