§ Captain BOWYERasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether it has been brought to his notice that certain firms are selling silver and electroplated goods in the Colonies stamped with the hall mark which in this country signifies that the article stamped has been tested and guaranteed by the Government assay offices; that purchasers in the Colonies are thereby being deceived into buying goods which they believe to be English made and guaranteed of a certain quality, but which are in reality foreign goods, possibly of inferior type; and whether, in order to prevent this, he will approach the Colonial Governments with a view to persuading them to adopt the same regulations in the Colonies as exist in this country regarding the use of these marks, namely, that all silver goods manufactured in the country must be stamped toy the Government of that Colony with marks which, being the property of the Government, may not be placed on goods by private firms for sale in the Colonies?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe practice to which my hon. Friend refers has not been brought to the notice of the Secretary of State, but inquiries will be made, and his suggestion will be carefully considered.