asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the comparative figures showing the number employed in each industry which has received the advantage of the protective tariffs in the Saorstát (a) in the year 1914, (b) at the date of the introduction of the tariff, and (c) at the present time.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TARIFFS AND EMPLOYMENT.
I will circulate with the Official Report a table giving particulars, so far as the information is available, of the number of persons employed in the protected industries on the dates when Protection was instituted and on a recent date.
I regret that there are no figures available to me showing the state of employment in these industries in the year 1914.
PROTECTED INDUSTRIES.
Return based on the available information, at the date of the institution of protection and at a recent date.
FINANCE ACT, 1926.
|
INDUSTRY. |
Persons employed on 1st April, 1926. |
Persons employed on 1st September, 1926. |
Increase. |
|
Oatmeal Milling |
250 (e) |
500 (e) |
250 |
(e) Estimated.
FINANCE ACT, 1925.
|
INDUSTRY. |
Persons employed on 1st April, 1925 (mainly working part-time). |
Persons employed on 1st Sept., 1926 (working full time). |
Increase. |
Increase calculated on basis of full time employment. |
|
(1). |
(2). |
(3). |
(4). |
|
|
1. Wholesale Clothing (i.e. Men's and Boys' factory made Clothing) |
845 |
1950 |
1105 |
1350 |
|
2. Shirtmaking |
810 |
1572 |
762 |
1162 |
|
3. Hosiery |
988 |
1310 |
322 |
810 |
|
4. Hats and Caps |
89 |
169 |
80 |
110 |
|
5. Umbrellas |
45 |
49 |
4 |
4 |
|
6. Tie-Making |
101 |
122 |
21 |
21 |
|
7. Blanket-Making |
229 |
548 |
319 |
418 |
|
8. Furniture |
482 |
850 |
368 |
550 |
|
9. Metallic Bedsteads |
24 |
91 |
67 |
67 |
|
10. Brush-Making |
195 |
333 |
138 |
213 |
|
11. Handicraft Tailors, Dressmakers, Milliners, Making-up of Women's Light Clothing |
Not available. |
Not available. |
400 a)— |
|
|
12. Corset-Making |
Nil |
83 |
83 |
83 |
Total 5,188.
(a) Estimated. These trades are carried on in so many establishments, large and small, that comprehensive figures cannot easily be obtained.
FINANCE ACT, 1924.
|
INDUSTRY. |
Persons employed on 1st April, 1924 (mainly working part-time). |
Persons employed on 1st Sept., 1926 (mainly working full-time). |
Increase or Decrease. |
Increase or Decrease calculated on basis of full time employment. |
|
|
(1). |
(2). |
(3). |
(4). |
||
|
Increase. |
Decrease. |
||||
|
Bootmaking |
359 |
973 |
614 |
723 |
— |
|
Glass Bottles |
25 |
127 |
102 |
102 |
— |
|
Soap and Candles |
263 |
338 |
75 |
108 |
— |
|
Motor Bodies |
249 |
157 |
92 |
— |
92 |
|
Confectionery (including Jam) |
3,878 |
5,051 |
1,173 |
1,651 |
— |
Decrease. Net Increase, 2,492.
FINANCE ACT, 1922.
|
INDUSTRY. |
Persons employed on 1st April, 1922, (mainly working part time). |
Persons employed on 1st January, 1926. |
Increase. |
|
Tobacco |
(500 (e) |
1,650 |
1,150 |
|
(e) Estimated. |
||
|
Total, 1922 — |
1,150. |
|
|
,,1924 — |
2,492. |
|
|
,,1925 — |
5,188. |
|
|
,,1926 — |
250. |
|
|
Grand Total, |
9,080. |
The total of 9,080 represents increased employment in the protected industries only. It takes no account of increased employment in the building trade or in other trades connected with the protected industries, consequent on their expansion.
Is the Minister aware that figures have been published showing the employment in the protected industries at the date of the introduction of Protection and at other dates since that, but that no figures have been supplied in regard to previous dates? Is the Minister aware that at the time of the introduction of Protection there was unusual unemployment in these industries owing to other conditions altogether apart from the necessity for Protection? For that reason I ask if it is not necessary to get reliable figures in regard to which comparisons can be made?
It is very desirable, but the Deputy asked particulars as to the year 1914.
I will take another date—1916?
I told the Deputy I have no figures showing employment in 1914, and I am pretty certain there are no figures available for 1916 either.
Will the Minister try to get them at the earliest date?
Will the Deputy raise this matter by a further question giving the date which he desires information for?
If I did that, I would have to put a question for every year. Will the Minister try to get the information at the earliest date available?
I will try to get something.
Will the Minister tell us the effect on prices created by the extension of the Merchandise Marks Act?
In 1914?
Arising out of that point—
Arising out of what point?
Arising out of what we have just heard.
Arising out of the Merchandise Marks Act?
No. But I would point out that the necessity for something in the nature of accurate comparable figures.
Is the Deputy in order in pointing out anything?