asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he has refused to issue any licences for the importation of "shredded wheat"; whether this article is being manufactured in the Irish Free State and whether he has given any firm a monopoly of its manufacture or importation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Importation of “Shredded Wheat.”
I have refused to issue licences for the importation of shredded wheat. So far as I am aware this commodity is not manufactured in the Irish Free State at the moment but the manufacture of a similar article will be commenced in a few weeks' time. I have not given any firm a monopoly of the manufacture of shredded wheat or of its importation.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, might we know what is the name of the similar article that is to be produced here in a few weeks' time?
Dr. Ryan
I do not know what they will call it, but it will be shredded wheat.
I should like to be sure if that is the fact, because I imagine that the industry to which the Minister is referring is the one advertised by Brown and Polson, whose plant is designed for wheat flaking, and that is not the same thing at all as shredded wheat, as I am informed. Is the Minister aware that shredded wheat is an article in a biscuit form and that it differs very materially from the article proposed to be produced in Dublin? If the Minister finds, on investigation, that that is correct, will he undertake to reconsider his decision to refuse to issue licences for the importation of shredded wheat?
Dr. Ryan
All right.