§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the prosecution and fining of La Samaritaine, a French firm trading in Regent Street, London, for exposing and selling as Irish lace a French-made crochet blouse; whether he is aware that numbers of American and other visitors have made similar purchases in the belief that they were obtaining lace made in Ireland; and whether, with a view to putting on their guard American visitors to London and other places where this dishonest form of trading has been carried on, he will convey to the proper authorities in the United States a notification of the fact that such practices exist and of the damage thereby caused to an important Irish industry.
§ SIR EDWARD GREYI am aware of the facts mentioned by the hon. Member; but so far as I can gather the representatives of the Irish lace industry are in a position to protect their own interests, and I do not see on what ground I could ask authorities in the United States to take action in the matter. I hope the publicity which has been given to the matter already will be beneficial.
§ MR. BOLANDBut cannot the right hon. gentleman utilise machinery at his disposal—the British Consuls in the 672 United States—to circulate the information?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYYes, I am quite willing to communicate any information to the British Consuls; I thought the hon. Member referred to the United States Consuls.