Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Woollen and Worsted Imports. – Dáil Éireann (15th Dáil) – Wednesday, 14 Jul 1954

Mr. Hilliard

asked the Taoiseach if he will state in respect of each of the years 1949-50 to 1953-54 inclusive the quantity of woollen and worsted goods imported and the value of such goods.

Parliamentary Secretary to Taoiseach (Mr. D.J. O'Sullivan)

I intend, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate in the Official Report a statement giving the desired information. It should be noted that the figures shown do not include imports of woollen and worsted manufactures through the parcel post. Information on such imports is not available.

Following is the statement:—

IMPORTS OF WOOLLEN AND WORSTED MANUFACTURES IN EACH YEAR 1949-1953 AND IN THE PERIOD JAN. MAY, 1954.

Description	Unit of Quantity	QUANTITY	VALUE
1949	1950	1951	1952	1953	1954 Jan.-May	1949	1950	1951	1952	1953	1954 Jan.-May
								£	£	£	£	£	£
Yarns, wholly or partly of wool	lb.	2,138,627	2,658,457	2,351,741	1,643,464	2,673,720	921,708	893,859	1,347,373	1,899,235	978,575	1,792,875	644,992
Woven tissues	sq.yd.	6,254,730	7,155,517	6,615,328	490,234	1,365,836	750,398	2,403,534	3,228,572	3,650,634	275,963	878,531	530,340
Knitted piece goods	,,	214,225	318,260	141,917	76,420	41,582	6,559	85,691	139,451	78,206	26,977	21,557	4,162
Blankets	No. of prs.	18,482	31,615	23,073	2,076	7,854	n.a.	29,451	48,278	65,257	6,255	12,604	n.a.
Rugs (except floor rugs)	No.	5,929	4,309	3,865	226	2,327	n.a.	5,224	3,788	3,155	305	1,175	n.a.
Carpets and other floor coverings	sq. yd.	434,925	444,457	282,384	166,205	163,054	85,890	373,462	505,095	397,673	199,621	204,039	97,103
Other woollen manufactures (except apparel)	value	—	—	—	—	—	—	29,485	37,615	44,559	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.
Gloves, knitted	dz. prs.	4,098	4,735	3,266	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	5,424	6,805	6,059	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.
Outerwear, knitted, n.e.s.:
Cardigans, pullovers, jumpers, etc.	doz.	65,599	63,178	49,424	11,215	15,548	5,366	420,941	455,689	488,549	98,019	132,588	48,904
Other	,,	14,041	17,903	8,213	5,335	5,562	1,665	106,006	98,347	58,872	34,651	36,437	10,068
Outerwear, other than knitted:
Men's and boys':
Overcoats	No.	10,365	2,040	292	1,717	987	1,518	49,249	8,125	1,381	5,204	3,687	2,665
Suits	,,	20,170	476	214	204	558	(a)	58,323	4,871	2,868	2,320	3,281	(a)
Women's and girls':
Overcoats	,,	46,967	37,078	36,835	24,224	31,986	10,954	291,202	224,476	254,919	132,830	183,922	62,769
Costumes, etc.	,,	15,369	15,567	15,008	9,753	11,834	6,175	127,420	115,263	124,090	64,922	85,343	44,526
Dresses	,,	12,899	12,104	6,861	4,633	6,183	1,459	43,972	42,568	32,131	19,857	24,938	7,456
Skirts	,,	26,714	28,722	20,976	8,845	13,922	4,647	47,325	50,988	39,954	15,198	24,883	8,722
Other outerwear	value	—	—	—	—	—	—	69,531	46,775	36,747	n.a.	n.a.	2,324
Underwear, knitted	doz.	15,674	15,625	9,866	1,511	1,881	626	78,881	94,973	71,272	9,034	15,110	4,480
Stockings and hose	dz. prs.	44,187	69,785	38,349	5,129	8,811	905	68,577	113,957	79,551	10,666	18,358	2,394

n.a.=not available

(a) Including outerwear other than overcoats and suits.

Mr. Hilliard

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the method by which the quota for the importation of woollen and worsted goods is fixed and if he will state the quota fixed for each of the years 1949-50 to 1954-55 inclusive; further, if he will state whether he proposes to have the quota amended for the current quota period, and, if so, if he will indicate the change proposed.

Minister for Industry and Commerce (Mr. Norton)

As is the case for all goods which are the subject of quota Orders under the Control of Imports Acts, 1934 and 1937, the quota periods and quotas are appointed by the Government under Section 6 of the Control of Imports Act, 1934.

I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate with the Official Report a statement giving the particulars of the quota periods and quotas appointed for woollen and worsted piece goods in the years from 1949 to date.

I do not propose to recommend any amendment of the quota appointed for the current period which will expire on 31st August.

CONTROL OF IMPORTS (QUOTA No. 13) ORDER, 1935.

Quota Period	Quota appointed
	sq. yds.
1/3/49—31/8/49	1,500,000
1/9/49—28/2/50	1,500,000
1/3/50—31/8/50	2,500,000
1/9/50—28/2/51	2,000,000
1/3/51—31/8/51	2,500,000
1/9/51—29/2/52	1,100,000
1/3/52—31/8/52	75,000
1/9/52—28/2/53	75,000
1/3/53—31/8/53	200,000
1/9/53—28/2/54	300,000
1/3/54—31/8/54	750,000

Mr. Hilliard

Will the Minister say if the amount of goods permitted to be imported this year has any effect on the employment position in Irish woollen mills? Can he say whether or not our mills are in a position to supply the full requirements of the home market?

Mr. Norton

Surely that is a separate question, but I would like to say, in reply, that I did not fix the quota for the current period. The quota for the current period was fixed by my predecessor in March last. That quota period expires on 31st August next and any and every representation made on behalf of Irish woollen and worsted producers will be sympathetically considered when the fixation of the quota for the new period is under consideration.

Mr. Hilliard

I did not say that the present Minister fixed the quota. Neither did I suggest it. I understand that the quota is fixed in consultation with the interests involved—that is, the woollen manufacturers—and I want to put it to the Minister that I understand there is a market here for greater production by woollen manufacturers.

Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 14 Jul 1954