HC Deb 04 May 1891 vol 353 cc62-3
MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)

I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland whether his attention has been called to a Report by the United States' Consul Reid, of Dublin, published in the Grocer, of the 11th April, in which it is stated that— One of the chief pork-packing concerns in Limerick buys great quantities of American hams in the cured state, smokes them, and impresses its own brand upon them, and sells them at a price a trifle below what it asks for its own goods; whether impressing an Irish brand on American hams is an infringement of the Merchandise Marks Act; and if, in the interest of the Irish trade, he will cause inquiry to be made as to whether any such practice, as alleged, is carried on?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) Dublin University

The Government have no information whatever that confirms the statement referred to in the question.

MR. M'CARTAN

I will repeat the question on Thursday.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

Has the American Consul been asked upon what grounds he made the statement?

MR. MADDEN

No, Sir; I think it would hardly be within my province to put a question of that kind.