asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that Irish representatives of British boot and shoe manufacturing firms are urging Irish buyers into forward buying in anticipation of much higher prices, owing to alleged scarcity of hides; whether he can give an explanation of the considerable increase in the number and value of boots and shoes imported during the month of January, 1928, as compared with the month of January, 1927; and if his Department will make arrangements for the periodic publication of accurate information in this connection, with a view to preventing Irish traders being misled by false rumours of this nature.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ALLEGED SCARCITY OF HIDES.
I have no information that would enable me to answer the first two parts of the question, but understand it to be the fact that the price of leather is rising. With regard to the last part of the question, I do not think that my Department would be in a position to obtain any more accurate information than traders themselves can obtain.