§ 80. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the 40 fact that Chinese bacon is sent from Liverpool to various parts of Ireland not stamped Chinese, but sold as American, will he say what steps he proposes to take to save the Irish public from this fraud, especially seeing that in England this bacon cannot be sold except it is branded Chinese?
Mr. ROBERTSONThere is no obligation either in Great Britain or Ireland to brand Chinese bacon as such, but if to such bacon is applied a description which includes a false statement or false indication direct or indirect as to the place or country in which the bacon was produced, the application of such a description, or sale of bacon with such a description, whether in Ireland or Great Britain, constitutes an offence under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887. I shall be glad to consider any case of this nature which may be brought to my notice.
Mr. O' DONNELLMay I ask if Chinese bacon is sold in Ireland branded as American, who is to see that the fraud is prevented? Is there any public authority to do so?
Mr. ROBERTSONThe Board of Trade has no machinery to find out whether it is Chinese bacon. That is a matter for the authorities in Ireland.