asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will arrange with the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards to investigate the possibility of ensuring minimum standards for the manufacture of footwear to prevent inferior goods coming on the market.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Footwear Manufacture Standards.
6.
There are no powers under which manufacturers of footwear can be required to conform to a minimum standard specification. Standard specifications prepared by the Institute for Industrial Research and Standards are not obligatory on manufacturers.
The only class of footwear for which the Institute has prepared a standard is men's heavy boots. It is doubtful whether men's and women's shoes would be suitable subjects for standard specifications.
Would the Minister not agree that the increase in footwear imports is indicative of dissatisfaction with some home products?
We also have a very lively export trade in footwear. I understand from the Minister for Industry and Commerce that very few complaints regarding the quality of boots and shoes have been received in his Department. The last statement is that they received three complaints in the whole of 1962.
My information is that some adults and children's footwear is of very shabby quality and very bad value for the money.
I am sure the Minister for Industry and Commerce would like to have any complaints in that respect brought to his notice.