§ Mr. BURGOYNEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, although under the Customs Act, 1842, and the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, it is provided that foreign-made watch cases (as gold and silver plate) shall not be imported into the United Kingdom unless properly hall-marked in conformity with the Order in Council of the 7th of May, 1907, no steps have been taken to prevent the importation of watch cases by registered letter post, with the result that such goods are sold in this country in contravention of the law as to hall-marking; is he aware that no registered letters are opened by the Post Office for Customs purposes, except contraband goods within the meaning of the Post Office Act, which does not include gold and silver articles liable to be hall-marked; and whether he will take the necessary steps, in the 1193W interests of British manufacturers and the public, to stop the importation of such articles by registered post?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI am making inquiries into the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member in due course.