Vol. 196 No. 5
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the opinions expressed in paragraph 138 of the recent Report of the Committee on Industrial Organisation on the Cotton, Linen and Rayon Industry with regard to the desirability of more frequent meetings of the Joint Industrial Council for the industry for discussion of general problems of organisation, productivity, etc., in the industry, he will take steps to encourage such suggested meetings to take place.
141.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the opinions expressed in the Report of the Committee on Industrial Organisation on the Cotton, Linen and Rayon Industry as to the relatively poor training received by Irish workers in this industry and the effect which this lack of training has on productivity in the industry, he will investigate the possibility of setting up with the least possible delay an improved system of training through co-operation among the mills involved, additional courses in vocational schools, or any other necessary means.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.
The Linen, Cotton and Rayon Manufacturers' Association issued a statement on 7th June that the industry as a whole is in general agreement with the conclusions and recommendations of the Report of the Committee on Industrial Organisation on the Cotton, Linen and Rayon Industry and that it is willing and anxious to carry out the recommendations in the report so far as it lies in its power The report recommended that concerted action should be taken by the mills within the framework of a general scheme for the development of the industry to prepare for free trade and that the trade unions should be consulted on matters affecting the interests of the workers. Action towards the implementation of the various proposals and recomendations in the report will be primarily a matter for the industry. I understand that the CIO has already had discussions with the industry with a view to the early implementation of the recommendations.
