asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the statistical returns referring to the importation of typewriters classifies them only under weight, and if he is prepared to instruct his Statistics Branch that particulars in the future will also include the imports in number.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Statistics of Typewriter Imports.
The Official Import List issued under the authority of the Minister for Finance and the Revenue Commissioners requires importers to declare the weight of typewriters (including parts) imported, but does not require them to furnish separate figures for the numbers of complete machines. A comparatively small proportion of the import trade is made up of typewriters and parts, and from the statistical point of view a request to the Revenue Commissioners to alter the Official Import List to the extent of requiring importers to furnish more detailed information would not be justified.
Would it cause very much inconvenience to add to the statistics furnished the number of machines imported in a particular year?
Quite a lot.
Would the Minister state how it would be possible to get a rough estimate of the number of machines imported in a particular year? How many machines would be included in 432 cwts. of machines?
I think I could get a rough estimate, but I have not been asked that question.
Perhaps the Minister is not aware that I have been in correspondence with his Department, and that it was because I could not get the information I put this question down.
It would not be advisable to change the form owing to the trouble it would cause.