Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Nov 1937

Vol. 69 No. 6

Control of Imports Orders—Motions of Approval. - Quota Orders Nos. 31 and 34.

Mr. Lemass

I move:—

That Dáil Eireann hereby approves of Control of Imports (Quota No. 31) (Amendment) Order, 1937, made on the 25th day of June, 1937, by the Executive Council under the Control of Imports Acts, 1934 and 1937.

I think it would be found more convenient if motion No. 10—that is Quota Order (No. 34)—was taken simultaneously.

I move:—

That Dáil Eireann hereby approves of Control of Imports (Quota No. 34) Order, 1937, made on the 25th day of June, 1937, by the Executive Council under the Control of Imports Acts, 1934 and 1937.

Both these orders relate to the same thing. Quota Order 31 relates to electrical filament lamps and prohibits the importation of electrical filament lamps "with a voltage at not less than 100 volts nor more than 250 volts and consuming not less than 20 watts nor more than 500 watts and fitted with a bayonet cap or a screw." Subsequently the range was extended and, consequently, it was considered necessary to extend protection to lamps that consume not more than 1,500 watts It was found more convenient to divide the quota order into two parts, one relating to the ordinary type of lamp used in houses and offices and the other relating to lamps used in motor cars. Hence, we have here two orders—one amending the original order and the other a new order designed to effect that change. The net effect of the two is to extend the scope of the protection to these other classes of lamps, now being made here, and to provide that, instead of having one quota covering all types, there will be two quotas, one relating to household lamps and the other to motor car lamps.

Professor O'Sullivan

What is the quality of the lamps?

Mr. Lemass

The quality has been regularly tested by the Post Office Stores Department and by the Electricity Supply Board. From time to time we have received complaints, but the general report we have received from the Post Office and Electricity Supply Board is that the quality of the lamps is quite good and that they are being sold at the same prices as those charged for the standard lamps produced by the British combine.

Professor O'Sullivan

"Quite good" is rather vague. How do the lamps compare in quality with the other lamps?

Mr. Lemass

We asked those people who have this testing apparatus to report on the quality of the lamps and whether they considered them good value, having regard to the prices previously paid for similar lamps imported. They reported that they considered them quite satisfactory. There were certain difficulties in the initial stages, when manufacture here was only beginning, but these difficulties have, I think, been eliminated. I have no recollection of the receipt of any complaint concerning the quality of these lamps for a long time.

Mr. Dockrell

I suggest that asking the Electricity Supply Board and the Post Office for their opinion is scarcely a fair test. The Minister might, at least, have made some inquiries from the people who distribute the lamps to the consuming public. It might be that the distributing public would be getting the rejects from these departments. Where goods are being supplied to large sections of the community, I suggest that the Minister ought to ascertain the views of the distributors of these goods.

Mr. Benson

Is the application of the available quota dependent on the country of origin of the lamps?

Mr. Lemass

No.

Mr. Benson

It was stated some time ago by the manufacturers that the importation of a very cheap lamp had affected their sales, that they did not mind the importation of a certain number of lamps from Great Britain, but that these cheap lamps, which, I understand, come from Japan, were a very serious menace to their trade. Incidentally, I dare say the Electricity Supply Board would be glad to see these lamps imported, because I imagine they use considerably more plugs than a better quality of lamp of similar type.

Mr. Lemass

I do not think that there would be very much point in asking the ordinary distributors of lamps for their opinion, because most of them, I think, foresaw the possibility of a duty and imported so many lamps that they were completely stocked up, and have not yet reached the stage of ordering Irish lamps in any quantity. I do not think that there is an obligation on us to go out and seek opinions upon these goods when the tests we have made appear to indicate that they are satisfactory and when there is a general absence of complaint. It is our experience that, if there is the slightest ground of complaint about any commodity manufactured here, we hear all about it, and the absence of complaint is a general indication that the quality is good.

There is no restriction upon the importation of lamps by country of origin. The total number of lamps that may be imported is limited. When Deputy Benson referred to the complaints of manufacturers, he had, I think, something else in mind. The quota is fixed in accordance with our estimation of the requirements of the country as against the productive capacity of the manufacturers. As a general rule, we make an estimate which will, at least, ensure that there will be no scarcity, and we frequently get complaints from manufacturers that the quota fixed is too large. That is not, in itself, a thing that need cause perturbation, because most of the articles subject to quota orders are also subject to Customs duties so fixed as, in our opinion, to afford reasonable protection in any event. Some very cheap types of lamp were imported, and consequently the power of importation allowable by quota order was exercised to the full. In the course of last year a fairly liberal quota was allowed. That quota has since been reduced, and by this No. 34 Order the scope of the quota has been extended. Prior to the making of that order, the manufacturers had to rely on the Customs duty only for protection in respect of the types of lamps not covered by the earlier order. They have found that their sales have considerably increased since this new order was made, and, according to the information I have received, the number of persons employed in the manufacture of lamps has also increased in the course of the past year.

Question put and agreed to.