asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the names of or the owners of the new factories stated to have been established since he came into office, and if he will also state the address or location of each of these new factories; the classes of goods produced; the amount of capital (a) nominal and (b) paid up; whether the factory is natively or foreign controlled, and the number of (1) men, (2) women, (3) boys, and (4) girls, employed in each.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Statistics of New Factories.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question on the same subject on the 27th October last. Since then, there have been further new factories and workshops established in the Saorstát, but for the reasons given to the Deputy in my previous reply I cannot see my way at this stage to undertake the compilation of the particulars he desires.
Is the Minister aware that in October last he said he would consider laying a report on the Table giving this information? Is he also aware that emphasis has been laid by the President in his Press on the necessity of keeping before the people the progress that is being made? A few days ago it was emphasised how successfully the Press in Italy were able to report every acre of additional wheat that was grown. Does the Minister realise that we have had contradictory statements; that on the 11th September the President said that 100 new factories had been set up as against the 303 stated by the Minister for Industry and Commerce on the 27th October last? Is he aware that these figures have been changed around; that the President told us in the beginning of January that 300 factories had been established whereas the Minister for Industry and Commerce told us that there were only 150? In view of the seriousness of the matter from the point of the people who are suffering under the present economic position, will the Minister take some steps to give us some accurate information as to what additional industries have been set up?
Will the Minister consider the question, in the interest of working people generally, of not officiating at the opening of factories where sweated rates of wages are being paid?
That is a different question.
Will the Minister consider the issuing of a return giving the sort of information asked for in the Question at regular stated intervals, say, every six months?
To compile the information asked for in this Question would occupy the time and attention of a large number of the members of my staff who are much more usefully occupied at present. I do not propose to divert them to that work.
Is it not looking for the factories?
In view of the fact that definite information is apparently in the hands of the Minister when he makes certain statements and that there is unemployment amongst clerical classes in the city, will the Minister engage a few clerks who will list for him the names of the firms and the places where they are—at least that much—and then we may get some local inquiries made as to the other position? Does the Minister realise that at the present moment we can get no information, good, bad or indifferent, as to the additional factories that have been set up in the country?
The answer to all parts of the Deputy's supplementary question is in the negative. I am, however, having prepared a Directory of Irish Industries, which will be available, I suppose, shortly, and will give a large amount of the information required by the Deputy.
Has the Minister, in respect of the figures he has quoted, not the names and the locations of the factories he says exist?
Yes.
Might I suggest to the Minister to define exactly what a factory is? There seem to be different ideas in different parts of the House.
Will the Minister say where the various Ministers got the different figures mentioned?
I am not aware that different figures were mentioned.
The Minister says 150 and the President says 300.
I do not think so.
The Minister says 10,000 employed and the President 4,490.
If the Deputy will re-examine the statements he will see that there is no conflict.
Read the "Irish Press."
We are responsible for supplying information, but we cannot help the Deputies to understand it.
Explain the difference between 150 and 300.