asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, with reference to the Customs Duties (Wool and Worsted) Order, 1932, he will state (1) the number of the Saorstát firms engaged in the manufacture of the protected articles, the amount of capital invested therein, the number of persons employed therein and the value of their annual production; (2) the relative costs of production here and in Great Britain; (3) the cost of labour and rates of wages in this industry in the Saorstat as compared with such cost and rates in Great Britain; (4) the increase, expected to result from the Order, in the number of firms engaging in the industry, in the invested capital, in the employment given, and in annual output; (5) to what extent consumers of the articles protected by the Order can have their requirements met by home manufacturers; (6) what benefit is expected to accure to the Revenue of the Saorstát from the new duties, and (7) if any application for aid, other than the tariff, has been made to him by any of the firms now engaged in the industry, or by any person or firm proposing to engage in the industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Woollens and Worsteds.
In Report No. 4 of the Tariff Commission, on the application for a tariff on woollen and worsted, the Deputy will find statistics as to the firms engaged in the industry, the amount of capital invested therein, the number of persons employed, the value of annual production, etc. In February, 1929, there were 1,409 workers engaged in this industry (excluding workers occupied in the manufacture of blankets). The figures of employment at various dates subsequent to the imposition of the tariff were:—
|
1st September |
1929 |
1,795 |
|
1st March |
1930 |
1,883 |
|
1st September |
1930 |
1,550 |
|
1st March |
1931 |
1,699 |
|
1st September |
1931 |
1,537 |
I am not at the moment in a position to give a final estimate of the benefit likely to accrue to the Revenue from the imposition of the duty.
No application for assistance, other than the tariff, has been received by my Department from any firm or person engaged or proposing to engage in this industry.
Am I to take it by the reference given to me, to the report of the Tariff Commission, that there is no change in the industry regarding the matters to which I am referred in that report?
In regard to the number of firms engaged in the industry and the amount of capital invested there has been no substantial change, I understand. I have given the figures in relation to the number of persons employed.
There is no change in the industry beyond what the report states of those items to which I have been referred?
Well I am afraid the Deputy will have to specify the items.
Would the Minister read me out the first part of his reply?
"In Report No. 4 of the Tariff Commission on the application for a tariff on woollen and worsted, the Deputy will find statistics as to the firms engaged in the industry, the amount of capital invested therein, the number of persons employed and the value of annual production, etc."
Therefore, except in one particular of increased employment of which the Minister has given other figures, the industry stands as it was stated in the Tariff Commission Report to which I am referred?
Not quite.
My question is hardly answered, but it does not matter. Would the Minister state to what extent he expects that the Revenue will benefit from this tariff?
About £50,000.