asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a duty of 5/- per cwt. (Reference No. 7, Second Schedule, Part II of the Finance Act, 1935) is now collected on asbestos sheets; and if, having regard to his recent statement that these articles are duty free, he will take steps to have asbestos sheets now admitted free of duty.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Asbestos Sheets.
The duty of 5/- per cwt. mentioned in the Deputy's question is not chargeable on sheets made wholly or mainly of asbestos, and, accordingly, the last part of the question does not arise. I may add, however, for the Deputy's information, that the duty is chargeable on sheets made partly, but not mainly, of asbestos, provided clay, earthenware or cement has also been used in their manufacture.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I would like to point out that the Minister for Industry and Commerce, in column 572, said:
"As far as slabs are concerned, the duty is not being extended. Asbestos sheets are not liable to this duty."
That is not qualified in any way, and I would like to call the Minister's attention to it, and ask him which statement is to be relied upon.
My information is that the description, "asbestos sheets," applies to articles which, in fact, contain only a very small proportion of asbestos. Since the revenue duties were imposed, proposals for the manufacture of asbestos slabs have been submitted to the Department. Possibly that has altered the position also.
I think it is desirable that the Minister should have the matter cleared up, because there is no doubt about it that the duty is being collected on asbestos sheets that do not contain anything else but asbestos and the necessary binding material. I should like to know from the Minister if he is prepared to go into the matter more fully and endeavour to reconcile the two statements?
If the Deputy will be good enough to write to me, I promise him that I shall.
I think the Minister has sufficient facts before him to go into the matter. There is a duty imposed on the one hand—it has been collected, anyway—and the Minister for Industry and Commerce says there is no duty on asbestos slabs. I do not know what I am to write to the Minister, but I certainly would like to have the matter cleared up.