asked the Taoiseach if he will state the number of pickled sheep pelts exported to England during September, 1949, and who exported them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Pickled Sheep Pelts.
There were no exports of pickled sheep pelts to England in the month of September, 1949.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary be surprised to learn that from three sources in Great Britain confidential reports have been issued, which I have seen, and copies of which I can produce, stating that exports for the seven months ending July to Great Britain were 24,283 skins; in August 1949, 1,500 dozen or 18,000 skins, and in September, 1949, 3,500 dozen or 42,000 skins went out? While that is so the position in my town is that workers are being let go daily for the want of these skins.
I think that the Deputy is under a misapprehension as to the difference between pelts and fleshes and grains which are pelts subjected to a certain process. In the month of September 13,680 fleshes and grains were exported.
I want to suggest to the Parliamentary Secretary that I have a good knowledge of this and that I am not under any misapprehension. If the Parliamentary Secretary believes that that number of pelts was available I would suggest that he get the question examined. If he does he will find that that number of heavies would not be available in three or four years, not to speak of a couple of months.
If the Deputy furnishes me with the particulars I shall have the matter examined.
I will be delighted to give them.