asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the high price of clothing and footwear is an important contributory factor to the present high cost of living; if he will take steps to ensure that the price of these articles is reduced as soon as possible; and if he can give any indication of when the quality of these commodities will be improved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clothing and Footwear.
The wholesale and retail prices of cloth and clothing are controlled under the provisions of the Emergency Powers (Cloth and Clothing) (Maximum Prices) Order, 1945. This Order fixes maximum wholesale and retail margins which may be taken on such articles sold by a manufacturer or imported. These margins have been progressively reduced since the first Order controlling cloth and clothing prices was made in 1943, and the practicability of further reduction is under continuous examination.
Manufacturers' prices of these goods are also regulated, and during the past six months reductions have been made in such prices which had the effect of reducing retail prices by from 8 per cent. to 10 per cent.
The wholesale and retail margins on footwear are similarly controlled, and recent reductions in manufacturers' prices have had the effect of reducing retail prices by from 3 per cent. to 8 per cent. for various classes of footwear.
I do not agree that the quality of clothing and footwear is inferior, having regard to the nature of the raw materials available.
It should be understood that the present high prices for articles of clothing are due to the high cost of imported materials. Lower prices would be practicable for some classes of clothing if certain imports were not facilitated, particularly the importation of materials from South America, but in such event, the total supply would be substantially less and employment in clothing industries would be greatly curtailed. There were increased imports of linen, cotton, woollen and worsted piece goods during 1945, but the cost of such imported goods also rose during that period. As increased supplies of materials become available it is to be assumed that the over-head costs of manufacture of clothing will be reduced, but there can be no substantial change in clothing prices unless and until the cost of imported materials falls.
In view of the fact that Irish wool may in the future be sold at reduced prices, will the Minister see that the cost of manufactured articles will be brought down at a corresponding rate to what the price of wool will be?
Yes.
The Minister states that the quality of cloth is as good as it was some years ago. I think the ordinary poor person who has to pay such a big price for cloth is not of that opinion. The quality is not as good.