Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Jun 1953

Vol. 139 No. 11

Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Artificial Silk Piece Goods Amendment) Order, 1953—Approval Motion.

Mr. Lemass

I move:—

That Dáil Éireann approves of the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13)(Artificial Silk Piece Goods Amendment) Order, 1953.

I have circulated an explanatory memorandum on this matter, an innovation which, I am sure, the House will welcome. When we amended the Quota Order relating to woollen and worsted piece goods so as to bring within its scope spun rayon cloths manufactured to assemble woollen and worsted suitings we limited its application to cloths 37 inches, or more, in width. Subsequently imports of cloth of 28 inches in width began to arrive, the effect of which was of course to defeat the object of the Quota Order. This new Order is now being made to amend that Order so as to catch these spun rayon suitings 18 inches in width, or greater.

Mr. Morrissey

I can understand the Minister's reasons for doing this but I would like to know if the Minister has satisfied himself fully that this will not have adverse reactions on the other part of the trade, the making-up and the readymade end of it?

Mr. Lemass

The effect of the Quota Order is, of course, to give powers to regulate the quantity imported.

Mr. Morrissey

I know that.

Mr. Lemass

So far as I can remember, on all recent occasions the quota was fixed in agreement both with the making-up trade, the mantle manufacturers and the manufacturers of woollen cloth.

Mr. Morrissey

I understand that fully but I am also fully aware of the difficulty. There are very definite difficulties in many cases for makers proving to the satisfaction of the Department that their application for a duty-free licence is necessary. There are very great difficulties. Perhaps there should be difficulties, but what I am concerned with, and I am sure the Minister is concerned with it too, is to see that in trying to close one gap, so to speak, we do not open another gap which will adversely affect another part of the trade just as important, if not more important, from our point of view and from the employment point of view.

Mr. Lemass

Certainly.

Question put and agreed to.