asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether representations have been made to him to prohibit the export of pickled pelts in any form either whole or split so that the unemployed who worked at the Dickens Leather Company, Dungarvan, may be re-employed and those workers under notice retained; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Pickled Pelts.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce (a) if he will state the number of split pickled pelts (fleshers and grains) exported during the months November and December, 1949; and (b) whether he is aware that a large number of light pickled pelts are being exported and made into linings, and returned to Ireland as boot lining, thus causing unemployment in leather tanneries and among boot and shoe workers; and, if so, whether he will investigate this matter with a view to preventing the export of this cheap raw material which is essential for employment in two of our main industries.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 12 and 13 together.
The export of whole untanned pelts is not permitted. By arrangement with the tanneries, licences have for some time past been granted for the export, either split or tanned, of a fixed percentage of their intake of sheep pelts in order to enable them to dispose of heavy pelts which they claimed could not be disposed of in the home market. Representations have recently been made to me by one tannery that no further facilities should be granted for the export of pelts in any form, and this matter is under examination.
Separate statistics are not available to show exports of split pickled pelts (fleshers and grains). Exports are shown under the category of "Sheep and Lamb Skins" and amounted to 44,976 (weighing 715 cwts.) in November, 1949, and to 22,392 (weighing 424 cwts.) in December, 1949. I am not aware that light pickled pelts are being exported, but if the Deputy has any information to the contrary which he is prepared to place at my disposal, the matter will be investigated.
Will the Minister convey to the tanneries that, when they are considering this matter, they should undertake to accept a full supply of pelts and skins from the picklers in order to avoid unemployment among the men employed by the picklers?
What steps are being taken to ascertain whether or not pelts have been illegally exported, and will the Minister say, in the event of determining that they have been exported by any given individual, what action is contemplated?
I should like to ask the Minister if he will have regard to the increase in the price of leather and see that the tanners in this country will pay an increased price for pelts, commensurate with the increased price they are charging for the leather.
Taking the last supplementary question first, so far as I know, whatever increase has taken place in the price of leather, it has been justified on the ground of the increased price for hides to the farmers. With regard to Deputy Larkin's point, the position is that only pelts of a kind which is considered unsuitable for the home market are allowed, or are supposed, to be exported. With regard to the other point by Deputy Lehane, this matter is under investigation and whatever appropriate steps have to be taken to put an end to whatever—shall I say— illegal exports are taking place, those steps will be taken.
Will the Minister be prepared to give me a date when I can submit this evidence?
I shall be glad to get it from the Deputy at any time.