§ Sir E. STOCKTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Manchester Chamber of Commerce has constantly and urgently drawn the attention of the Board of Trade to the fact that the office of Keeper of Cotton Marks, as provided for in 1788W Section 54 (1) of the Trade Marks Act, 1905, is vacant, and that the office has been vacant for nearly two years, the last keeper having retired on the 31st December, 1920; why this statutory appointment has been so long deferred; and will the appointment be made before the end of this year?
§ Viscount WOLMERI am aware of the representations made by the Manchester Chamber of Commerce on the subject of delay in making this particular appointment, and I am also aware that that body regards the officer who is acting as keeper as having given every satisfaction since the late keeper's retirement. A substantive appointment will be made to the post as soon as the re-organisation scheme for the Board of Trade is agreed upon.