asked the Minister for Supplies whether he is aware that shortage of tanning materials is resulting in an acute shortage of upper leather for boots and shoes; and whether the Emergency Research Council is doing anything to provide an alternative tanning medium from domestic products.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shortage of Tanning Materials.
The shortage of upper leather for the manufacture of boots and shoes is only partly due to a scarcity of tanning materials. Imports of finished upper leather, which in pre-war years represented nearly half the total consumption, have been reduced very substantially, and, in addition, supplies of semi-tanned hides from abroad are being obtained with the greatest difficulty and in diminishing quantities.
The Emergency Scientific Research Bureau has already rendered valuable assistance to the tanners in the matter of supplies of certain materials used in the tanning process.
The Minister has not answered that portion of my question which asks whether the Research Council are considering an alternative tanning medium from such materials as are available—domestic products.
I think the Deputy may take it that the manufacture of synthetic tanning materials from materials available in this country is not practicable on a large scale.
I want to know if the members of the bureau set up by the Taoiseach to investigate such problems have had this problem referred to them. I asked that question before, and the Taoiseach said he never heard of a shortage of tanning materials. Has the Minister asked the Taoiseach to get the bureau into action in order to see if something could be done?
I have already told the Deputy that the bureau has rendered valuable assistance to the tanners in the matter of supplies of certain materials used in the tanning process.
And any shortage that now exists is being considered by them? There is a shortage of certain tanning materials?
No. The shortage of leather is not due to a shortage of tanning materials.
It is not exclusively, but it is partially.
It is not even mainly due to such a shortage.
In so far as it is partially due to the shortage, has that problem been referred to the bureau?
I have told the Deputy twice already that it has.
That is all right, but the Taoiseach did not appear to know that.