§ Sir MAURICE LEVYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that prosecutions have recently been undertaken by the Board of Trade against some shopkeepers for selling goods with incorrect trade descriptions, which descriptions the shopkeepers or their assistants have been induced to apply at the request of the purchasers, who are invariably representatives of trade rivals of the manufacturer whose goods are on sale; and whether he will give instructions for prosecutions not to be initiated by the Board of Trade in cases where stealth is employed to induce a person to commit a wrong act?
Mr. ROBERTSONThe Board of Trade only undertake prosecutions under the Merchandise Marks Acts in cases where they are satisfied that the general interests of the country, or of a section of the community, or of a trade, are affected. I am not aware that any prosecutions have recently been undertaken by the Board of Trade under the circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend, nor am I prepared to admit that shopkeepers or assistants, who, in compliance with the request of a purchaser, invoice goods under incorrect trade descriptions, are necessarily induced to do so by stealth. If the hon. Member desires to bring to my notice any instances of prosecutions undertaken by the Board of Trade in cases where stealth has been employed, I will further consider the matter.