asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware of the acute shortage of boots for children; and if he will state when increased supplies of footwear, suitable for use by children, will be made available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplies of Children's Boots.
Since January, 1944, footwear factories have been subject to control to ensure that reasonable quantities of essential types of footwear, including boots for children, are produced. Returns for the year 1945 indicate that the production of heavy footwear for children has been increased to a higher total than in normal times although supplies are still lower than the demand which has been increased by the reason of the absence of supplies of children's rubber boots.
It is not possible to state when increased supplies of children's footwear may become available.
Will the Minister say whether he proposes to take any steps to improve the quality of the leather used in the footwear because of the fact that the present unsatisfactory quality is, in fact, increasing the demand for footwear, as the existing footwear is not lasting a fraction of the time that pre-war footwear lasted? Can the Minister do anything to remedy that situation?
It is not possible to take action to improve the quality. I do not think the quality is as unsatisfactory as Deputy Norton suggests, but, to the extent that it is below the pre-war quality, it is due to scarcity of tanning materials and inability to obtain imported materials.
Can the Minister say whether any additional supplies of children's boots will be made available, particularly for the remainder of the winter period?
The production of children's boots is as high as the factories in the country are capable of turning out.
Can we expect any increase in view of that statement?
The production of leather for heavy boots for children and for adults is being maintained at maximum level, but the scarcity is due to the fact that rubber boots, of which there were 1,000,000 pairs per year sold here before the war, are not now available. There is no likelihood that the supply will equal the demand until rubber boots are again available.