asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that large quantities of foreign flour are being imported into the Saorstát not bearing the name of the country of origin or production; that in the large bulk of these imports Irish names for the purpose of trade deception (such as "Fáilte,""Shamrock,""St. Patrick," etc.) are branded in large letters on each sack; and whether he will now take the necessary steps to prohibit all such imports, and prosecute in the cases where this dishonest trading is being practised.

I am aware that foreign flour is imported into the Saorstát in bags or sacks not bearing the name of the country of origin or production. There is no legal obligation to indicate the country of origin, unless there appears on the bag or sack a mark suggestive of Saorstát origin. Specific complaints as to flour imported in bags bearing a brand suggestive of Irish origin have not been received by my Department for several years. The Department made investigations and took action on the last complaint received by it and the manufacturers submitted a new brand which was considered unobjectionable within the meaning of the Merchandise Marks Acts. I shall be prepared to investigate any further specific complaint made to me. The question whether legislation should be introduced requiring imported food products to bear an indication of their country of origin is under consideration.