asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will grant to B. Corcoran, Limited, Drapers, Bull Ring, Wexford, a small quota to import worsted suitings in order that they may meet the requirements of their clients and not be at a disadvantage with other firms in the same line of business.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Worsted Suitings Import Quota.
The case of the firm referred to in the Deputy's question has been fully examined. It has been decided that in the light of the provisions of the Control of Imports Act, 1937, they cannot be regarded as qualified for registration as importers of worsted cloths. In the circumstances, it is not possible to give them import licences for worsted suitings.
Am I to take it from the Minister's reply that any new firm that sets up in this particular line of business is to be left at a disadvantage with firms which have hitherto operated in the same town or district?
I would not like to answer that in a general way. I would prefer the Deputy to send me particulars of any specific case he has in mind. The position in this case is that an applicant for registration must carry on a business in connection with which, or with part of which, it is necessary or usual to import cloths of a description to which the relative quota Order applies. In this case that condition was not fulfilled with the result that the person, not having previously imported cloths, cannot now get a licence to import cloths.
The firm in question could not previously have imported cloths because they were not then in business. This is a new firm that was set up. It would seem to me, according to the Minister's reply, that any new firm that starts in the drapery business is to be left at a disadvantage with existing firms. That does not seem to be a just basis for people to trade under.
The whole procedure is probably not ideal but one has got to make the best possible use of it, and trying to find a solution along certain lines would probably create more new problems rather than solve old problems.
We are not seeking a very big quota in this case. It is only a small quota for a Wexford man starting a new firm in his own town. Surely that is not too much to ask from the Minister's Department?
There may be a number of other people in the same category as the firm on whose behalf the Deputy raises this question.
There are other firms who are already operating on a small import quota and this person is placed at a disadvantage. I am asking for simple justice.
Those who are getting the import quota have been getting it for the past 20 years and clearly it would be unjust to take it from them. I know of no case which could be made that it should be reduced to accommodate another person.