asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state the present stocks within the country of (1) Irish raw wool; (2) imported raw wool; (3) woollen yarns; whether he will state the period for which these stocks will keep the mills engaged in making woollen piece goods in production and the reason for the present difficulty in obtaining from the mills delivery of woollen cloth; and, further, whether he will state if it is the intention of the Government to retain for home consumption the whole of the 1942 clip as well as all the home-grown raw wool now available in the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wool Stocks.
Apart from the obvious difficulty about keeping detailed up-to-date figures at any particular time in respect of the items to which the Deputy refers, I would remind him that since the outbreak of war the publication of detailed statistics in relation to trade has been suspended for reasons of public policy, and I regret that, consistent with the public interest, I could not give the information sought by the Deputy. Supplies of imported woollen yarns have been considerably restricted and the woollen mills are, therefore, experiencing difficulty in meeting the full demands made on them for woollen cloth. As regards the last portion of the Deputy's question, the position is that export licences for wool are not granted unless my Department is satisfied that the wool is surplus to the requirements of the Irish mills.