asked the Taoiseach if he will state the proportion of the leather used in the footwear industry which is tanned in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers (resumed). - Irish Tanned Leather used in Footwear Industry.
Census of Industrial Production returns made by wholesale boot and shoe factories in respect of years after 1952 do not distinguish, among the materials used, home produced from imported leather. For previous years this information was available and in 1950 the value of home-produced leather constituted 75 per cent. of the value of all leather used by such concerns, the corresponding figures in 1951 and 1952 being 76 per cent. and 80 per cent. respectively. An examination of the general statistics for leather production, imports, etc., suggests that the proportion in question did not vary much from its earlier level in 1953 and 1954. Particulars for 1955 are not yet available.