HC Deb 21 June 1956 vol 554 cc120-1W
69. Mr. Osborne

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that imported goods which are required to be marked with an indication of origin under Section 10 of the Merchandise Marks Act. 1926, and are not so marked or are incorrectly marked may be seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise on arrival, but that if they inadvertently escape, his Department has the option to refuse to prosecute the seller; if he will now make prosecution in such cases obligatory; and if he will give an estimate of how many foreign-made goods so incorrectly marked have found their way to United Kingdom retailers for sale.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I do not think that there should be any provision for obligatory prosecution without regard to the circumstances of each case. I am unable to estimate the extent to which the provisions of the Act are being evaded, but I have no reason to think that the evasion is substanial.