asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the average number of persons employed weekly on the manufacture of preparations made from rice husk referred to in Emergency Imposition of Duties (No. 87) Order, 1935, during the year ended 31st December, 1934; and if he will state whether the imposition of the duty imposed by the said Order will increase this employment; and, if so, to what extent.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emergency Duties.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the average number of persons employed weekly on the manufacture of ground rice, rice flour, and rice meal, referred to in Emergency Imposition of Duties (No. 87) Order, 1935, during the year ended the 31st December, 1934; and if he will state whether the imposition of the duty imposed by the said Order will increase this employment; and, if so, to what extent.
I propose to deal with the two questions together. None of the commodities referred to therein was produced in Saorstát Eireann in the year 1934. The imposition of the duty will create new employment, the extent of which, however, I am not in a position at this stage to state.
Has the Minister made any estimate of the number of persons who will be employed at this work and has he any information that any persons or companies are going into this class of work?
The answer to the second part of the Deputy's supplementary question is in the affirmative. I have made no estimate of the amount of employment likely to result, but it will not be very extensive.
Does the Minister consider that the amount of employment to be given will be in any way comparable with the increased taxation placed on the people?
There will be no increased taxation.
The Minister is talking nonsense.