Counterfeit Products (Hansard, 14 January 1980)

§ Mr. Gwilym Roberts
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what steps he is taking to limit the counterfeiting of British products in other countries; what tests are made on the performance of the counterfeit products; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Parkinson
It is primarily a matter for British firms to protect their own products overseas by taking out patents and registering their trade marks in overseas countries. The Government have for their part supported efforts internationally to encourage more countries to offer patent 611W and trade mark protection, and, in the GATT, to obtain agreement on measures to discourage the import of counterfeit goods by developed countries. The Government do not test counterfeited goods. There is legislation to protect the consumer against misrepresentation, and regulations exist to cover a range of health and safety factors.

§ Mr. Gwilym Roberts
asked the Secretary of State for Trade what study he has made of the counterfeiting of British products by Taiwan manufacturers; if he will list in the Official Reportproducts which he knows to have been counterfeited in Taiwan or other countries and the companies involved; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Parkinson
I am aware that allegations of counterfeiting by Taiwan-

Frozen Pickled (saltcured), in brine, or dried

Tonnes £ thousand Tonnes £ thousand

1978—

First quarter … … … 763 368 50 20

Second quarter … … … 1,963 778 322 156

Third quarter … … … 655 283 654 294

Fourth quarter … … … 1,410 726 528 229

1979—

First quarter … … … 755 458 13 7

Second quarter … … … 897 447 593 265

Third quarter … … … 2,226 599 326 122

Smoked (Kippers) Otherwise prepared or preserved

Tonnes £ thousand Tonnes £ thousand

1978—

First quarter … … … 3 2 4 4

Second quarter … … … 33 17 11 14

Third quarter … … … 14 9 44 30

Fourth quarter … … … 7 5 52 50

1979—

First quarter … … … — — 74 55

Second quarter … … … — — 32 39

Third quarter … … … 35 26 28 24

Notes:

a) Imports of herrings of which Canada was the country of origin.

b) There were no imports of fresh or chilled herrings of Canadian origin in the period in question.

c) The effects of industrial action have led to distortions in the pattern of trade recorded in the first eight months of 1979, and the figures for individual quarters of that year must therefore be interpreted with caution.

				Frozen	Pickled (saltcured), in brine, or dried
				Tonnes	£ thousand	Tonnes	£ thousand
1978—
First quarter	…	…	…	763	368	50	20
Second quarter	…	…	…	1,963	778	322	156
Third quarter	…	…	…	655	283	654	294
Fourth quarter	…	…	…	1,410	726	528	229
1979—
First quarter	…	…	…	755	458	13	7
Second quarter	…	…	…	897	447	593	265
Third quarter	…	…	…	2,226	599	326	122

				Smoked (Kippers)	Otherwise prepared or preserved
				Tonnes	£ thousand	Tonnes	£ thousand
1978—
First quarter	…	…	…	3	2	4	4
Second quarter	…	…	…	33	17	11	14
Third quarter	…	…	…	14	9	44	30
Fourth quarter	…	…	…	7	5	52	50
1979—
First quarter	…	…	…	—	—	74	55
Second quarter	…	…	…	—	—	32	39
Third quarter	…	…	…	35	26	28	24
Notes:
a) Imports of herrings of which Canada was the country of origin.
b) There were no imports of fresh or chilled herrings of Canadian origin in the period in question.
c) The effects of industrial action have led to distortions in the pattern of trade recorded in the first eight months of 1979, and the figures for individual quarters of that year must therefore be interpreted with caution.