London, May 12: The House of Commons, by 221 votes to 65 passed the second reading of the Merchandise Marks Act, which Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister defined as enabling the purchaser to know whether he was buying British products, British agricultural produce and Empire produce.

Mr. Sidney Webb moved the rejection on the ground that the Bill would create obstacles to the importation of certain classes of goods, increase prices, and encourage monopolies.