Industrial Counterfeiting (Taiwan)

HC Deb 26 March 1982 vol 20 cc443-4W

Mr. Iain Mills

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take further steps to reduce counterfeiting by Taiwanese companies.

Mr. Sproat

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my hon. and learned Friend the Minister for Trade gave on 22 March to the hon. Member for Walsall, North (Mr. Winnick). I understand that the authorities in Taiwan have already introduced some additional surveillance measures to discourage counterfeiting and propose soon to increase the penalties for this offence by providing for longer and mandatory prison sentences. This Government has made it clear that it will not be satisfied until the authorities in Taiwan put an end to this fraudulent practice.