71.
asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in response to his representations about unfair trade practices in the production and marketing of pottery produced in Japan and sold in overseas markets.
In one case the Japanese firm has already stopped making the goods in question. In another case investigations will be made as soon as our representatives in Tokyo receive the copies from the United Kingdom firm that has lodged the complaint. The Japanese Pottery Manufacturers' Association claims that copies are usually made to the requirements of foreign buyers. The Association is urging its members to obtain letters of indemnity from such foreign buyers accepting responsibility for any infringement of registered designs. I understand that the Japanese pottery industry would welcome a visit by representatives of the United Kingdom pottery industry in order to discuss this and other problems.