§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
LORD O'HAGANMy Lords, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill I think I may be expected to explain as briefly as possible the objects for which the measure is introduced. The object of the Bill is to empower the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland to undertake prosecutions for the punishment of offences under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, in cases which relate to Irish agriculture and other Irish industries. In England the Board of Agriculture has powers to undertake similar prosecutions as these, but in Ireland, as the law stands at present, these prosecutions have to be undertaken by the Board of Trade. As your Lordships are aware, the Irish Department of Agriculture possesses extensive powers for aiding agriculture and other Irish industries, and is in touch with persons carrying on such industries. It has, therefore, been thought desirable that the Department should have the same powers of taking proceedings in case of offences which seriously injure the development of those industries as possessed by the English Board. The offences consist generally of selling goods under false trade marks, and the Bill provides that the prosecutions are 590 to be undertaken in accordance with the regulations of the Lord Chancellor for Ireland, and with the consent of the Board of Trade. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord O'Hagan.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.