asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the quantity and value of rubber-backed carpeting, including synthetic and imitation rubber, imported in 1952, 1953 and 1954 on which duty was paid at a rate not exceeding 10 per cent. and, further, if there were any duty free imports in the aforesaid years, the quantity and value of such imports.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rubber-Backed Carpeting.
Carpeting of the kind referred to by the Deputy falls within the scope of the duty set out at tariff reference No. 91 of the customs and excise tariff. This duty applies also to other types of floor coverings, for example, felt or jute carpeting of a value less than 4/- per square yard and coir carpeting. The official import statistics do not distinguish as between rubber-backed and other forms of carpeting and the segregation of the information required by the Deputy would, therefore, involve undue expense.
Licences to import goods liable to this duty without payment of the duty are granted only in the case of rubberised carpeting imported by firms engaged in the processing of such carpeting for supply to motor car assemblers. Statistics of the quantity and value of such imports are not separately compiled.
Would the Minister be prepared to give a figure for the bulk lots as distinct from separating them?
The total receipts of duty under tariff reference No. 91 in the years 1952, 1953 and 1954 were £5,441, £5,185 and £9,739 respectively.
This is on the 10 per cent. tariff?
On No. 91, which is 15 per cent. full and 10 per cent. preferential.
I will have to figure it out now.
I understand it would take some little time.