asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware of the shortage of leather and other necessaries for boot and shoe repairs; and whether, having regard to the high price for boots and the hardship imposed on poor persons in not being able to have their boots repaired, he will state how far investigations in this matter have proceeded in the Department, so that the position may be speedily remedied.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shortage of Leather.
I am aware of a shortage of leather for boot and shoe repairs, and representations have been made to me in the matter by boot repairers. I have had the position fully investigated and have now decided to control the distribution of leather to wholesale merchants on a quota basis. Arrangements are being made to introduce the quota system in the near future. Steps are also being taken to prohibit the diversion to boot factories of leather intended for the repair trade. Supplies of leather, which should be reasonably adequate to meet the needs of the repair trade, will be allocated to wholesale leather merchants for distribution to their retail customers. It is anticipated that these arrangements will remedy the difficulties which now exist, but the position will be kept under review.
I have received no general complaints of a shortage in the repair trade of materials other than leather.
I should like to state that in the country at the present time——
If the Deputy has a question to ask, he should do so now.
The Deputy should say "Is the Minister aware".
A changed form might not change the essence.
Does the Minister not know the position in the country with regard to the shortage of leather for repairs and that, owing to the shortage, people cannot get boots and shoes mended?
Will the Minister take steps, when he controls the distribution of leather to the wholesale merchants, to regulate the distribution from the wholesalers to the retailers so that the retailers will get an equitable distribution? There are a lot of complaints about that.
Will the Minister bear in mind that a great many retail distributors of leather to cobblers purchased their leather from Great Britain before the emergency and have no business contacts with Irish wholesalers, and will he take steps to ensure, when the quotas from wholesalers to retailers are being prepared, that due regard will be had to the requirements of those who, if the quotas are based on pre-war purchases, will get no leather at all, and thus ensure that each retailer will get a quota of leather commensurate with the demand for repair leather in the area which he serves?
The quota system will only apply so far as the wholesaler is concerned, but the distribution from wholesaler to retailer will be supervised also.
And the person who has no quota with an Irish wholesaler will get some special allocation?
The quota system will only apply so far as wholesalers are concerned.
What will happen the small shopkeeper, say, in Ballaghaderreen, Ballybay or Carrickmacross who bought leather from an English tanner pre-war and has no quota with an Irish wholesaler, such as Messrs. O'Callaghan or some of the other manufacturers?
That is being dealt with at the present time. Arrangements are made to procure supplies for any retailer in that position.
And the Minister simply says that if the trader who finds himself in that position applies to him he will see that he gets some leather?
That is so.