asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that most of the children's footwear which is at present sold to the public at high cost is of very poor quality, mainly owing to defective soling and stitching; and, as the purchase of children's footwear, at the prices now ruling, is a heavy drain on the wage earner, and as the poor quality is a serious danger to the health of children, he will take steps to ensure that such footwear will, at an early date, be of a much improved quality.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Quality of Children's Footwear.
I am aware that there have been complaints for some time past about the quality of the footwear which has been available and I have had many of these complaints investigated. Generally such defects as exist are due to the quality of the leather and other materials now used in manufacture. The tanners have informed me that, with the hides and tanning materials now available to them, they cannot ensure the same high quality of output as in normal times, and I am satisfied that the tanners and manufacturers are doing their best with the materials at their disposal.