asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce why the allocation of the quota for made-up textiles of low-cost origin (Quota No. 51) in 1974 applied to large firms only.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Made-Up Textiles.
3.
The quota for made-up textiles is £100,000. In 1974, as in all previous years since quota was introduced it was allocated on a "first come first served" basis. This system led to a certain amount of dissatisfaction and at the request of the distributive trade the method of allocation for 1975 has been changed. Firms interested in the importation of these goods were invited by press advertisements to apply to the Department for shares in the 1975 quota. The number of applicants and the quantities applied for were so great in relation to the amount available for distribution that it was necessary to limit licences to the larger firms, otherwise the quota would be so fragmented that individual licences would be uselessly small. This limitation was effected by reference to the employment afforded by the applicant firms.