MERCHANDISE MARKS (AMENDMENT) BILL

Order for Second Reading read.

The Assistant Minister for Commerce and Industry (Mr J. M. Jumabhoy): Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The Merchandise Marks Ordinance provides statutory definitions for trade marks and trade descriptions and has, as its aim, the avoidance of the use of forgery of marks or trade descriptions for merchandise. This Ordinance is based, to a large extent, upon the United Kingdom Merchandise Mark Act, 1887. It was recently decided in the United Kingdom to amend this Ordinance so as to define more closely trade description, and in particular to include under the heading of "Trade description" the words:

"as to the standard of quality of any goods according to a classification commonly used or recognised in the trade";

and also again to include:

"as to the fitness for purpose, strength, performance or behaviour of any goods".

The effect of these additions is to make it an offence to apply a false description of these characteristics to goods. In future, misleading trade descriptions, as distinct from false trade descriptions, will become an offence under this Ordinance. These amendments are a further safeguard for the public against the exploitation by unscrupulous traders or manufacturers who apply false or misleading descriptions to their goods.

The Singapore Bar Committee and the Singapore Trade Advisory Council have been consulted, and are of the opinion that similar amendments should be made in the local legislation. The Central Advisory Committee on Trade and Supplies in the Federation of Malaya, which is a body corresponding to our Trade Advisory Council, is to recommend to the Federation Government that similar amendments be made to the Federation Ordinance so as to secure a uniform policy in both the territories.

Sir, I beg to move.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.