I move:—
That Seanad Éireann hereby approves of the undermentioned Order made under the Control of Imports Acts, 1934 and 1937:—
Control of Imports (Quota No. 37) (Amendment) Order, 1950
This motion concerns the confirmation of the Control of Imports (Amendment) Order, dealing with women's and girls' hats and caps made of felt. The Order was made on the 30th June and, therefore, under legislation requires the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas before the expiration of six months, that is, before the 30th December.
It concerns women's hats and caps made in Galway, and the effect of the Order is to raise the exemption from 14/11 to 15/11 for these hats imported, that is to say, to prevent them from being imported except under licence if their value is less than 15/11 for customs purposes. Owing to changes in fashion since 1937, the market has declined considerably and—this refers to what we were discussing to-day— members of the Industrial Development Authority who visited the factory in Galway in the summer of this year saw that employment had dropped considerably and recommended certain changes. The Minister for Industry and Commerce agreed to these changes and made the Order on the 30th June. The effect is that the quota has been reduced from 160,000 to 100,000, which is an improvement, but this particular amendment Order raises the price of hats which may be imported from 14/11 to 15/11, being a superior limit, and the motion is the confirmation of that Order.