I move:—
That Seanad Éireann hereby approves of the Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Artificial Silk Piece-Goods) (Amendment) Order, 1952.
Control of Imports (Quota No. 13) (Artificial Silk Piece-Goods) (Amendment) Order, 1952—Approval Motion.
The House will recollect that last year and early this year there was rather considerable depression in the woollen and worsted industry. Various measures were adopted in order to restore the position. Steps were taken to restrict the importation of woollen and worsted cloths, the quota being reduced to a nominal size. It was found, however, that those measures were not effective because deliveries, in increasing quantities, of artificial woollens and worsted cloths made out of spun fibre yarns were coming into the country. These cloths, while of very poor quality, were so low in price that they were interfering with the sales of genuine woollen and worsted cloths and appeared likely to continue to do so to an increasing degree in the future. The position in that regard was, of course, intensified by the fact that the textile slump which affected us was world-wide in its effects and considerable quantities of these cloths were stored up in warehouses throughout the world, the owners of which were seeking an outlet for them anywhere they could get it and at almost any price. We decided, therefore, to amend this quota Order No. 13 so as to bring within it woven piece-goods containing more than 85 per cent. of weight of spun artificial silk stable fibre exceeding eight ounces in weight per yard but excluding certain piece-goods of a kind which we desired to continue to import. The necessity for the Order, therefore, was the fact that the importation of these spun rayon cloths manufactured to resemble woollen and worsted cloths was seriously militating against the recovery of trade in our woollen industry and the urgent representations which were made that, if their unrestricted import was permitted to continue, the steps that we had already taken to restore the woollen and worsted industry to normal conditions would be nullified.
At some stage the possibility of producing spun rayon fibre in this country will be considered, but it is a matter for the future. The quota fixed under this Order for the present period, of 75,000 square yards, is believed to be ample to cover the requirements of this cloth for particular purposes—either for the manufacture of soft toys or of certain types of boots and shoes and also to meet certain industrial users of a rayon type fabric. There is no desire, of course, to restrict the deliveries of these spun rayon cloths to anybody who requires them as a raw material in manufactures of that kind. It is only to prevent their importation when made to resemble woollen and worsted cloths to the detriment of our own woollen and worsted industry that restriction is necessary.
Did I understand the Minister to say that this would apply to cloths weighing over eight ounces only?
Yes, exceeding eight ounces.
Question put and agreed to.