84. Air Commodore Harveyasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Japanese firms are already copying British designs in textiles; and what steps he is taking to protect our industries in this respect.
§ Mr. HopkinsonI am not aware that this is being done on any considerable scale but if my hon. and gallant Friend has any information on the subject, we will be pleased to consider it. In the past two years His Majesty's Government have brought several cases of the copying of textile designs to the attention of the Japanese authorities, who have prevented the further use of the designs. We expect to receive the continued co-operation of the Japanese authorities in this matter in accordance with the Declaration in the Preamble of the Peace Treaty and with Japan's obligations under the Industrial Property Convention of 1934. It is also important that United Kingdom traders should help themselves by registering their designs in their principal markets.