asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the town of Balbriggan is very seriously hit by large-scale unemployment of workers engaged in the hosiery mills; if he will state whether the importation of goods from foreign sources is contributing to this situation; and, if so, what steps he is taking, if any, to secure the re-employment of these workers whose sole dependence is the hosiery industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Balbriggan Unemployment.
I am aware that there is some unemployment in a hosiery mill in Balbriggan. Trade and shipping statistics do not suggest that this position is mainly due to imports from external sources. Articles of the type made in Balbriggan are subject on importation to tariffs or quantitative restrictions. The quantitative restrictions now in force amount to virtual prohibition of imports. In the case of the articles subject to tariff the imports are not abnormal. As well as the existing tariffs on garments the factories now get the indirect benefit of the tariff on knitted fabric imposed by the Government on November 6th.
The Deputy may be assured that all necessary measures will be taken to maintain maximum employment in the hosiery industry, and to offset the effects on employment of the temporary recession in trade which is now affecting sections of the clothing industry in this and other countries.
Is the Minister aware that the position in Balbriggan cannot be described as normal? Not only is there not partial unemployment in Balbriggan but there is in fact half of the total of 400 workers unemployed. The other 200 are on short time and are working only three days per week. This is the main industry in the town and has been for the past couple of centuries. Is the Minister further aware that citizens have written to me giving me details of purchases made in the centre of the City of Dublin of articles such as socks, which bear a trade mark from Hong Kong? I have an example here and can show it to the Minister. Is the Minister further aware that there is a general belief that the reason for this recession in trade is due to imports, and to some extent to stockpiling? In the light of that, will he consider taking some steps to control the release of such imported stockpiled goods as may be there, in order to ensure that the Balbriggan situation will return to normal as quickly as possible?
I understand that the situation to which the Deputy refers applies to only one hosiery factory in Balbriggan and that, in fact, some of the workers laid off in that factory have been employed by another hosiery factory there. As far as hose and half hose are concerned, there were no abnormal imports and no stockpiling. In fact, imports of hose and half hose this year up to the end of September were no higher than they were last year. If that situation should change, I am prepared to take steps to deal with it. The indications are that the tariff now in operation is effective so far as controlling imports is concerned. Undoubtedly, there is here, as in other countries, some recession in trade, and, consequently, there is some danger that the surplus products of other countries may be dumped here at cut prices, but in the particular lines in which this country is engaged no evidence of that has emerged from our trade and shipping statistics.
I cannot accept the Minister's explanation as satisfactory, and, with the permission of the Chair, I propose to raise the matter on the adjournment this evening.
It will be considered.