asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that foreign radio valves are being imported into this country, clearly marked "Foreign Made," but bearing the stamp of a prominent British manufacturer and the stamp of the British Valve Manufacturers' Association; and what steps he proposes to stop this abuse.

Section 16 of the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, requires that such goods imported into the United Kingdom shall be accompanied by a definite indication of the country in which the goods were made. A notice to importers issued jointly by the Board of Trade and the Commissioners of Customs and Excise and in use since 1927 treats the marking described in the Question as sufficient compliance with this requirement. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this notice.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that this valve contains also the mark of the British Valve Manufacturers Association? Does he not think it illogical and contrary to the Merchandise Marks Act that whilst clearly marked "Foreign made" it should also be marked as made by the British Valve Manufacturers Association?

The hon. Member is wrong in thinking that no British manufacturer's name must appear on an article made abroad. If he looks at the Section to which I referred he will find the conditions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of firms which have been granted licences to import radio valves since October, 1953.

Any firm may import radio valves originating in and consigned from Western Europe and certain other countries under the open general licence without further specific authority. For radio valves not covered by the open general licence, individual licences have been issued to 37 firms during the period 1st October, 1953, to 15th June, 1954.

Can the hon. and learned Gentleman say why those licences have been issued when we can make these valves here in sufficient quantity?

If the valves are not covered by the open general licence, licences will be issued if alternatives are not obtainable in the United Kingdom or other non-dollar sources, or if required for the export trade.

Air Commodore Harvey:

Is it not a fact that if valves were not imported many people would have been out of work in the radio industry and exports would have come to a standstill?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of radio valves imported into Great Britain during the first quarter of this year; and what was the appropriate figure for the same quarter last year.

Radio valves are not separately recorded, but 2,078,000 electronic valves were imported into the United Kingdom in the first quarter of this year, and 771,000 in the corresponding quarter last year.

Does not the hon. and learned Gentleman think this is a terrific number to import? What steps is he taking to see that British production is working to full capacity?

I agree that it is a big increase, but the hon. Member will recall that there is a key industry duty of 33⅓ per cent. on these imports.

In view of the fact that the increase is threefold, can the hon. and learned Gentleman give an explanation of how this has happened?

I am not sure that this is a complete explanation, but it may be the very large increase in the demand for television sets.