asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the Minister for Supplies' radio appeal to merchants to accumulate stocks of imported necessaries it is intended to effect the immediate removal of all protective tariffs and quota restrictions on cotton piece goods, cotton hose, cotton blankets, leather, thread and other necessaries of which shortage is apprehended.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Removal of Protective Tariffs.
A system of protective tariffs and quota restrictions was built up in order to create the conditions necessary for the establishment of new industries and the expansion of existing industries. The result has been greatly increased industrial production and employment. I need hardly suggest to the Deputy that to take a step which would obviously create unemployment and reduce home production would not help the country to pass through the present period of emergency.
I should say, however, that in the administration of the quota system and of the licensing powers attached to most of the protective duties, I have had such relaxation carried into effect as would ensure the maximum ease of importation consistent with the minimum ill-effects on home production and employment. I can promise the Deputy that I will keep under constant review the action of the Department in relation to applications for import easement on the lines I have indicated. Clearly, where home firms are able to supply, it is in the general interest to do everything possible to ensure the import of the raw or semi-finished materials for the home industry and so maintain both supplies and home employment.
Arising out of the reply I wish to ask if the Minister would say in respect of flannelette and cotton blankets, whether he would give a licence to import these commodities free of duty, for if he will, we can now get in Great Britain substantial stocks of these commodities against the winter; and is he aware that the home industries producing these commodities are in hopeless arrears with deliveries of most, if not all, of the numbers they undertook to produce? Is the Minister aware that unless we get licences to import duty free now, this stuff cannot be got in and it will not be here next winter? Will the Minister give anybody who has trade contacts with Great Britain an opportunity now, in the light of this emergency, of getting these goods, admitting that this would be a departure from the general protective policy that has been in operation up to now?
I could not give an affirmative answer to that question without giving the matter full consideration but having heard what the Deputy has said I shall look into it.