§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Minister for Trade if he will make a statement on his discussions with, and on progress made by, the Taiwanese authorities since the statement on industrial counterfeiting in December 1980.
§ Dr. VaughanThe United Kingdom has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan. We have therefore had no discussions with the authorities. Firms with evidence that their goods are being counterfeited in Taiwan may make representations directly or through the Anglo-Taiwan trade committee, which has been instrumental in securing the de-registration of several offending trade marks in Taiwan.
New measures introduced in Taiwan last year were aimed at preventing the export of goods with counterfeit trade marks or false indications of country of origin. We understand also that the Taiwan authorities have recently set up a counterfeiting prevention task force to investigate complaints and provide evidence for prosecutions.
These measures show that the warnings which this Government have given on the practice of counterfeiting have been heeded. We continue to watch the situation closely and will not be satisfied until the problem has been eliminated.