asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what classes of imports he places in the category of non-taxable goods as mentioned in the Dáil by him on November 3 last, how the figure (likewise mentioned) of £15,000,000 for imports taxable and taxed is arrived at, and what portion of this sum represents goods subject to purely revenue duties, and what classes of goods he includes in the category of goods possibly taxable but not yet taxed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - TAXED AND NON-TAXED IMPORTS.
In the category of non-taxable goods I place those of which there seems no present possibility of economic production on a commercial scale in this country, or of replacement by other goods capable of being so produced, unless consumers of the goods were to be placed under an excessive burden.
In the approximate total of £15,000,000 mentioned as representing imports taxable and taxed are included more than 50 items. The list of articles and their values is too long to be given conveniently by way of verbal answer, and with the Deputy's permission I will append it to my reply in the official report. The values are those for the trade statistics for the year 1925. The Deputy will be able to determine from his own knowledge of industry and commerce which items in the list represent purely revenue duties.
In the category of goods possibly taxable but not taxed are included those goods of which there is a possibility that they could be economically produced on a commercial scale in this country, or be replaced by other goods which could be so produced, without placing undue burdens on the consumer.
IMPORTS INTO SAORSTÁT IN 1925 (from Official "Trade and Shipping Statistics," December, 1925).
Section I.—Goods imported which are now taxed.
|
(Nov., 1927) |
|
|
Value £. |
|
|
Class II. (Food, Drink and Tobacco) |
|
|
A. Margarine |
179,181 |
|
B. Oat products (Meal, Groats, etc.) |
279,002 |
|
C. Currants, raisins and other preserved fruits, fruit in syrup, tinned or bottled jams, marma- lades, etc. |
450,816 |
|
D. Cocoa raw |
8,644 |
|
Cocoa preparations |
435,676 |
|
Hops |
567,739 |
|
Spices |
27,991 |
|
Confectionery (except chocolate, confection- ery) |
542,074 |
|
Sugar, refined |
1,733,116 |
|
Sugar, unrefined |
2,152 |
|
Glucose |
46,725 |
|
Molasses and invert sugar |
30,007 |
|
Saccharine |
435 |
|
Vinegar |
7,824 |
|
E. Drink |
885,950 |
|
F. Tobacco |
721,671 |
Class III. (Other Raw Materials and manufactured Goods).
|
A. Bottles |
46,250 |
|
D. Cinema films |
45,796 |
|
Clocks, complete |
21,552 |
|
Clocks, parts of |
2,624 |
|
Watches, complete |
21,674 |
|
Watches, parts of |
3,166 |
|
E. Wireless sets and parts |
84,966 |
|
F. Touring cars |
814,304 |
|
Commercial vehicles |
37,583 |
|
Motor cycles |
60,030 |
|
Chassis |
56,617 |
|
Other motor car parts |
482,487 |
|
Motor cycle parts |
16,796 |
|
G. Furniture and cabinet- ware, new |
165,406 |
|
Do. do., secondhand |
27,776 |
|
Domestic woodware |
12,228 |
|
H. Blankets |
47,621 |
|
I. Apparel |
6,368,555 |
|
J. Shaped (leather) uppers, soles and heels |
16,995 |
|
L. Playing cards |
3,276 |
|
O. Perfumed spirits and medicines (dutiable) |
122,929 |
|
M. Candles, soaps and soap substitutes |
317,317 |
|
Turpentine |
50,596 |
|
Varnish |
52,012 |
|
P. Bedsteads |
24,171 |
|
Household brooms |
34,047 |
|
Matches, safety |
10,087 |
|
Matches, other |
46,998 |
|
Pianos and pianolas |
35,516 |
|
Other musical instruments |
43,157 |
|
Parts of do. do. |
47,797 |
|
Rugs (other than floor rugs) |
2,032 |
|
Billiard and bagatelle tables and accessories |
4,933 |
|
Grand total |
£15,046,297 |