asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will recommend the issue of licences for the importation of striped flannelette free of duty in view of the fact that supplies of this textile are not available from Saorstát sources.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Duty on Textile Imports.
I am not at present prepared to recommend the issue of licences for the importation of striped flannelette free of duty.
Is the Minister aware that there are no stocks of this commodity available in Saorstát Eireann, and that it is a commodity exclusively used by the poorer section of the community; and, in view of these facts, will he not issue licences to import it, even on the basis of a quota of last year's imports, pending some final decision as to what the ultimate policy of the Government is going to be regarding cotton textiles?
It is anticipated that supplies of striped flannelette of Saorstát manufacture will be available in the course of a short time, and, in any event, it would be inequitable at this stage to commence to issue licences, having regard to the fact that there are numbers of persons with huge stocks of flannelette on hands.
Will the Minister even say that on a given date he would propose to issue licences on the basis of last year's imports if he finds that adequate supplies are not forthcoming from Saorstát manufacturers?
I do not propose to issue licences at all unless there is a very considerable change in the situation.