asked the Minister for Supplies when it will be possible to release Irish woollen mills from whole-time production of Army requirements, and to permit them to devote at least part of their capacity to the production of woollen textiles for civilian consumption.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Production of Woollen Mills.
The Deputy appears to be misinformed about the position with regard to the production of woollen textiles for civilian requirements by the Irish woollen mills. The percentage of their production which individual mills had to devote to Army and Government Services' requirements varied from time to time but no mill is required to devote 100 per cent. of its production to Army and Government Services' requirements. There has been a progressive reduction in the proportion of the production of woollen and worsted piece goods which is required by the Army and Government Services. For a period of three months to the end of September last cloth for Army and Government services represented 28 per cent. of the total quantity of cloth which the woollen and worsted manufacturers declared to be available for distribution under the Buying Permit procedure. For a period of three months commenced on 1st October, 1943, cloth for Army and Government Services represented 27 per cent. of the total quantity of cloth which tile woollen and worsted manufacturers declared to be available for distribution under the Buying Permit procedure.
Does the Minister foresee at an early date any further reduction in the percentage of total production that will be required for military purposes?
The percentage has tended to reduce all the time, but I could not attempt to forecast the future in precise terms.