asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what revenue it is expected will accrue from the restoration, as from 1st April, 1946, of the customs duties on glass; further, if he will state the object of taxing any glass, other than sheet glass, which is manufactured in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Customs Duties on Glass.
The customs duties referred to by the Deputy were reimposed to protect the sheet glass industry which has resumed production. There is provision for the issue of licences to import, without payment of duty, glass not procurable from home sources, and it is not anticipated that the revenue collected will be appreciable.
The duties cover both sheet and plate glass. There are practical difficulties in excluding plate glass which are being considered, but, in the meantime, duty free import licences for plate glass will be issued on application.
Does the Minister realise that it is this imposition of duties which are not going to be collected which is causing the present congestion on the quays? I would earnestly beg the Minister to consider what are the difficulties, for instance, in letting in polished plate glass free. There has never been a foot of it manufactured in this country and, if it should be manufactured in this country, the duty could be reimposed. The same remark applies to all the classes of rolled plate. I am not opposing the legitimate protection for sheet glass which is at present manufactured in this country and in respect of which the manufacturer is entitled to protection. I am only asking that the present delay and circumlocution should be done away with.