asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has received any complaints concerning the difficulty in obtaining supplies of certain types of electrical switches which are required for various housing schemes, and which carry an import duty of 50 per cent.; when it is likely that switches of the required standard will be manufactured in this country in sufficient quantity; and whether in the meantime he is prepared to grant duty free licences for the quantity required until home supplies are available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply of Electrical Switches.
As certain types of electrical switches are not yet available from home sources, arrangements are in operation for the grant of duty-free licences for the importation of reasonable quantities. It is expected that supplies will become available from the home manufacturers in the near future.
Is the Minister aware that certain supplies have been held up in the port for from six to nine months pending some settlement of a dispute as to whether they are liable to this duty or not? In view of the fact that these switches are required for housing schemes will he try to have the matter settled as quickly as possible?
The present arrangement has been arrived at as a result of conferences between the home manufacturers and the electrical trade and is operating satisfactorily. I know one case in which a person sought to circumvent the arrangement arrived at by importing, on a duty free licence, a type of switch for which the licence was not issued. I do not know if that is the matter to which the Deputy referred, but if the person concerned burned his fingers, he struck the match himself.