asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that of the 3,000 workers normally engaged in the woollen and worsted industry about 700 are totally unemployed and a large number of the remainder are under casual employment; and if he will have a Departmental investigation made with the object of finding ways to increase employment in the industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Woollen and Worsted Industry.
I am not aware of the numbers of workers unemployed or only partly employed at the moment in the woollen and worsted industry. I am, however, aware that there has been a falling off of orders with a consequent slackening of employment during certain months earlier in this year. I can assure the Deputy, however, that the problem of unemployment in the woollen and worsted industry has been under constant consideration in my Department and everything possible has been done to assist the industry. It may be of interest to the Deputy to know that the total output from this industry in the year 1937 is more than double what it was in 1931, with a consequent increase in employment. This increase was the result of measures taken during the last six years to improve the position of the woollen and worsted industry. There is some reason to believe that the shortage of orders during part of this year is a passing phase.
Does the Minister contradict the statement that there was a 33 per cent. less output in 1937 and a 20 per cent. increase in stocks—does he deny that?
I am not in a position to deny that. I know there has been a falling off. The Deputy is, no doubt, aware of the cause—a certain amount of uncertainty as a result of the Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom. As a result of that people were led to believe that the restrictions on the importations of woollen goods were going to be modified or removed. It is a fact which the Deputy must face, that a large number of traders and members of the public decided to defer purchasing in the hope that they would get English goods. I think that is a passing phase, but it had a detrimental effect on the employment in the industry this year.
The fact that the percentage was so high is considered rather extraordinary.
May I ask the Minister if those people who were under the impression that the state of affairs that was suggested would obtain under the agreement, have been assured that there will not be a lowering of tariffs, or that the import quota will not be affected?
They can have no such assurance. They can, however, be assured that reasonably adequate protection will be afforded.
And that the position will not be worsened, so far as the woollen mills are concerned?