§ MR. BOLANDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland can he state, with reference to the Statement on page 118 of the recently issued Report of the Irish Department of Agriculture, how many prosecutions were instituted by associations of Irish manufactures against dealers who sold, as Irish manufacture, articles not manufactured in Ireland; how many of these prosecutions were instituted in Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales respectively; how many were successful and how many unsuccessful; and can he state how many of these associations of Irish manufacturers are in existence.
MR. BRYCEThe cases referred to were these in which proceedings were instituted by the Belfast Flax Spinners' Association and the Bacon Curers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland against traders in England for applying false trade descriptions to certain goods. The information upon which the statement in the Report was based was mainly derived from reports that appeared from time to time in the public Press. At least six prosecutions were undertaken by the Belfast Spinners' Association, and convictions were obtained in four cases. The total number of prosecutions instituted by the Bacon Curers' Association for the sale of American bacon as Irish is not definitely known. In two cases which came under notice convictions were obtained. The Department understand that these associations are still in existence.
§ MR. FLAVINWhy is the onus of initiating prosecution thrown on the poor manufacturer? Why did not the Government undertake it?
MR. BRYCEThe functions of the Government in this matter are limited by statute, and I presume it has no power to initiate prosecutions.