asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether any steps have been taken to ensure the manufacture of high tension batteries in this country in quantities sufficient for the needs of radio licence holders.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Manufacture of High Tension Batteries.
A number of factories have been established in the country for the manufacture of dry batteries including high tension batteries for radio sets. In normal times adequate supplies of batteries for radio sets were available from these factories. For some time past, however, there has been difficulty in maintaining the supply of certain imported raw materials, used in the construction of these batteries and, consequently, it has not been possible to maintain the production of batteries at the normal rate of output.
Is the Minister aware that there is strong feeling amongst those engaged in the radio trade that the manufacturers are not talking adequate steps to provide themselves with the necessary material for the manufacture of those batteries?
I have no doubt some people hold that opinion.
Would the Minister say what is the present percentage of production?
It is quite small. I could not say.