I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time. The purpose of this short Bill, which might all be contained in the Schedule, is to confirm certain Orders made by the Government under the Emergency Imposition of Duties Act. I do not know whether Deputies desire that I should go into a detailed explanation of each of the six Orders that were made. If that is desired, I can do so, but I was hoping that, as the Bill is not controversial, we might get the House to agree to it. I can give the House detailed information in respect of each of the Orders—the reasons why the duties were imposed are varied—and the results of the impositions, in so far as the results are known. Three or four of the Orders are rather of major importance. They were absolutely essential to enable the industry not merely to expand and develop but to check a bigger falling off in orders which led in some cases to working half-time and, in one or two cases, to very heavy disemployment.
These Orders were made only after the most careful consideration and investigation and I had no hesitation whatever in asking the Government to make them. I felt that it was not merely desirable but essential in the interests of the particular industry concerned that the additional protection should be given. I was also satisfied—and nothing has happened since the imposition of the duties to change my mind on that matter—that not merely would there be no increase in price as a result of the additional protection but that there was a probability of even a reduction in price. I am glad to say that, in respect of some of the Orders which were made, they have enabled the firms concerned to get back to full production and not merely increase the number of people employed in the particular industry but in one or two cases actually reduce the price of the article. In one case, the rate of production this year is double the rate of last year, that is, since they got the additional protection. If any Deputy desires further information or wishes to raise any point, I will be glad to assist him.