asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what steps, if any, have been taken during the past 12 months to re-establish the osier twig industry in this country; what was the result of the inquiry which he undertook some time ago to make in the matter; and what was the value of the canes imported into the Free State during 1936.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Osier Twig Industry.
Inquiry made by my Department in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture has revealed that there is no immediate prospect of a revival of the former export trade on which osier producers mainly relied. Various factors have contributed to a general decline in the demand for osiers, including the replacement of wicker baskets by different classes of container and the substitution of cane in wicker furniture.
The absence of an export market has reacted unfavourably on existing osier plantations, which, if properly tended, are capable of providing adequate supplies for the limited home demand.
Importers are not obliged to declare specifically consignments of osiers, and the precise value of the imports therefore cannot be determined. It has, however, been ascertained from an examination of original documents dealing with imports under general classifications that goods described as canes (including bamboo and rattan), willows and osiers value £1,786, £704 and £14, respectively, were imported during 1936.