asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether he has received an application, dated 14th May, 1946, on behalf of the Erne Soap and Candle Works, Dublin, for permission to export scouring powder to Mediterranean markets; and if he will state for what reason an export permit is necessary in such a case and if a decision in the matter will be expedited.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Scouring Powder.
I have received the application referred to by the Deputy. Soap is one of the constituents of the scouring powder in question. Because of shortage, the export of soap is prohibited, except under licence by the Emergency Powers (Control of Exports) Order, 1940, and a licence is also necessary for the export of the scouring powder. The applicants were requested to furnish certain particulars concerning the application, but have not yet done so; when these particulars are received the application will be considered and a decision conveyed to the applicants.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say what is wrong when there is this kind of confusion between industrialists and the Department of Industry and Commerce? How is it that an industrialist who gets a cabled inquiry from a place in the Mediterranean, where he has a chance of establishing a substantial export trade in a commodity which is wholly of native material, cannot have his letter to the Department answered for nine days, and then a series of queries are put up which, although they were answered on the 27th May, we are told in the House are not answered yet?
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether some kind of machinery of a telephonic kind can be established by which industrialists, who have to do their business by cable or telephone, and who are offered an opportunity of establishing markets abroad for commodities that are made entirely of home manufactured materials, will be assisted to establish their connections by being able to communicate more effectively and satisfactorily with the Department?
The firm concerned were asked to supply certain information and to date they have not done so. The Deputy is wrong in stating that the commodity concerned is made entirely from home manufactured materials. My information is that it is made of certain imported articles. Tallow is produced at home, but, as regards vegetable oils, resin, caustic soda, etc., these have to be imported.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that there is only 1 per cent. of the materials used in the manufacture of soap imported and that the rest is composed entirely from home manufactured materials, and is he aware also that the canisters and the wrappers in which the parcels are made up are composed of home manufactured materials, too?