asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs whether he is aware that on Tuesday, 6th November, an advertisement for an imported article, known as "Royal Baking Powder," was broadcast from 2RN, and listeners were requested to write to a Dublin address for a free copy of a cookery book by the makers of this baking powder; whether permission was given by the Minister to a foreign manufacturer to use an Irish State Service to advertise his wares; whether it is the policy of the Minister to allow advertising matters to be broadcast, and, if so, whether he will consider the discontinuance of this practice in the case of manufacturers of foreign products which are in competition with similar home-made articles.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BROADCASTING OF ADVERTISEMENTS.
The Minister is aware that an advertisement for "Royal Baking Powder" was broadcast from 2RN on Tuesday, 6th instant. The broadcast was arranged in the usual manner through our Departmental Staff and in accordance with the existing regulations governing such matters, which permit of broadcasting advertisements of an approved type at a stated charge.
The Department's policy is not to accept advertisements of foreign-made articles which are in competition with home-made articles. The Department was not aware that baking powder was manufactured in the Saorstát. The latest issue of the Directory of Users of the Irish Trade Mark, issued by the Industrial Development Association Incorporated, of 102/103 Grafton Street, does not include any manufacturer of baking powder.
I think the information the Minister has got is not quite accurate. Baking powder is manufactured in the Saorstát.
Arising out of the Parliamentary Secretary's answer, can he inform the Dáil what the stated charge for advertisements is and where it appears in the accounts of the Broadcasting Department?
That is a separate question.