asked the Minister for Finance whether the Foreign Prison-made Goods Act, 1897, is now in force; and, if so, whether he will state what steps are being taken to secure its enforcement, and if any goods, and what goods, produced by convict labour in foreign prisons have been refused admission to this country during the last five years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Prison-made Goods.
The Foreign Prison-made Goods Act is in force in this country and by virtue thereof goods proved to the satisfaction of the Revenue Commissioners by evidence tendered to them to have been made or produced wholly or in part in any foreign prison, gaol, house of correction or penitentiary, except goods in transit or not imported for the purposes of trade or of a description not manufactured here, are prohibited to be imported.
All Customs officers have instructions which aim at the due enforcement of this statutory provision.
No goods coming within the prohibition have come to the notice of the Revenue Commissioners and, therefore, the occasion for refusing admission to such goods has not arisen.
If the Deputy has any information which might lead to the detection of attempts to import goods of the nature indicated, I should be glad if he would communicate it to me.