asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that tile public are dissatisfied with the poor quality and the high pace of footwear now available, especially farm boots; and whether he will hold an investigation as to whether leather is being treated properly in the factories; and, whether the best available materials are being used by boot manufacturers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quality of Footwear.
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a question which he asked on 21st October last. So far as prices are concerned I have nothing to add to the reply I made to that question. So far as die quality of the leather is concerned, the scheme of control to which I referred in that reply will include such control over the production of leather as appears to be necessary and practicable in order to secure that the quality is tine best that can be produced, taking account of the scarcity of essential raw materials.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he satisfied as to whether the system of price control has not had the effect of causing leather, which might have been used for the manufacture of heavy boots and shoes, for the use of farm workers or children, to be put into the manufacture of ladies' light boots or shoes?
The difficulty of producing children's boots, as well as men's heavy boots, still exists; and that difficulty existed even before the control of prices came into operation. It is a mistaken idea to think that the type of leather that is usually put into the manufacture of ladies' boots or shoes would also be put into heavier classes of boots or shoes. However, as I pointed out in my reply to the Deputy's question on another occasion, the problem of the distribution of leather, generally, is under examination by my Department, and it is proposed to introduce a scheme of control in the near future which will help to relieve the present situation. As I pointed out, we cannot hold out any hope of a complete solution of the problem, but we shall do all that we can do to meet the real needs of the country in this matter.