asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that foreign-milled flour is being sold in the Saorstát in bags so branded or marked, as to lead the public to believe the flour to be Irish; and if he will state what steps are being taken to prevent this practice, and whether failing power to stop the practice at its source, steps would be taken to brand indelibly and conspicuously with the words "Imported flour" such bags on their arrival in the Saorstát and generally to give Irish millers a fair chance against unfair competition.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - FOREIGN-MILLED FLOUR SOLD AS IRISH.
Foreign-milled flour packed in some cases in bags bearing titles and designs of an Irish significance is being imported into An Saorstát. The titles and designs in question have been legally registered as Trade Marks by British flour millers for a number of years. Nevertheless bags bearing these brands when imported into An Saorstát must conform strictly to the requirements of the Merchandise Marks Act and must bear marks clearly indicating their country of origin. Branding with the words "Imported Flour" would not be sufficient fulfilment of this condition. The Ministry and the Commissioners of Revenue are administering the Merchandise Marks Act with strictness in all cases brought to the notice of their officers, and in respect of a number of imported commodities, including flour, they have already enforced the requirement that the package shall give a clear indication of the country of origin. If the Deputy will bring to my notice any other specific cases in which a breach of the Acts is alleged, I shall at once have them investigated.
Is the Minister aware that the complaint also is that flour bags are printed in England with the name of an Irish merchant such as, for instance, "Thomas Jones, Kells, Best Household Flour." There is no indication or no print on the bags which was referred to as being necessary under the Trade Marks Act. These are bags stamped in England with the name of a trader in Ireland who is importing flour, and the flour is sold to the public with the name "Thomas Jones. Kells, Best Household Flour." Will the Minister see that in cases of that sort the people will plainly understand that it is imported flour they are buying?
I will bring that under the notice of the Minister. My own recollection is that I had to deal with a case of this sort some time ago. In such a case it would be necessary under the Merchandise Marks Act that the bags would bear some indication of the origin of the flour.