asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the average number of persons employed weekly on the manufacture of woollen or worsted yarns referred to in Emergency Imposition of Duties (No. 84) Order, 1935, during the year ended the 31st December, 1934, and the average amount of the wages paid weekly; and if he will state whether the imposition of the duty imposed by the said Order will increase this employment; and, if so, to what extent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Employment on Manufacture of Woollen or Worsted Yarns.
It is not possible to distinguish between the employment given in the manufacture of the woollen and worsted yarns referred to and other classes of yarns. Information, however, is available in regard to the employment given in the production of certain classes of yarns coming within the scope of the duty, but I could not give these particulars without disclosing the business of individual firms.
The duty was imposed with the object of maintaining existing employment in the production of knitting or fingering yarns, but it is probable that it will also effect an increase in this employment. At this stage, however, I am not in a position to state the extent of any such increase.