asked the Minister for Supplies if he now proposes to take any steps to supply suitable footwear and bicycle tyres to persons employed on roads and in turf production; and, if so, if he will state what steps he intends to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply of Footwear and Cycle Tyres.
As regards footwear I would refer the Deputy to replies given in the Dáil to questions asked on the 9th and 30th November, 1944, and on the 25th January, 1945, regarding the measures taken to increase the production of men's heavy boots. Available supplies of footwear are distributed through the ordinary channels of trade and there is no evidence to suggest that heavy boots are not distributed equitably to the retail trade by manufacturers and wholesalers. The overall supply of heavy boots is sufficient to meet only two-thirds of the demand and I see no sufficient grounds for amending the existing system of coupon rationing by providing a preference for road and turf workers.
As regards the distribution of the limited supplies of bicycle tyres available I would refer the Deputy to the replies which I gave on the 20th October, 24th November and 1st December, 1943, and on the 21st March, 1944, in which I indicated that it would be quite impracticable to differentiate between the many and varied classes of persons requiring bicycle tyres for essential purposes or to give preference in such distribution to any particular class.