asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (1) what makes of (a) British, (b) American motor cars, purely for passenger use, are at present being assembled in the Irish Free State; (2) where are such assembling factories situated; (3) what is the total number of cars from each such assembling centre put on the market for the year ended 31st May, 1935; (4) with how many additional (a) British, (b) American manufacturers, are arrangements being made to have cars assembled in the Irish Free State, and where will these additional assembling factories be situated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Motor Assembling Factories.
(1) (a) The complete assembly of the following makes of British cars has, up to the present, been undertaken in the Saorstát:— Ford, 8 h.p.; Ford, 10 h.p.; Hillman, Humber, Armstrong Siddeley, Crossley. In addition, the Vauxhall car is partially assembled and the Standard is finished. (b) The American makes of cars which, up to the present, have been completely assembled are:—Ford, V. 8; Dodge, Chrysler, Terraplane, Hudson, Hupmobile and Studebaker. (2) The assembling factories are situated at Dublin and Cork. (3) Information is not available as to the number of cars put on the market by each assembling centre, but even if such information were available I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to disclose the extent of the business carried on by individual firms. (4) According to the information available in my Department, it is understood that Saorstát firms are contemplating the assembly of five British makes and three American makes. It is not possible, at this stage, to state where the additional assembling factories will be situated.