asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has any further statement to make in regard to the stoppage of the hand-woven tweed parcel post trade to Great Britain; whether he has received reports as to the amount of stock in hand at present unsaleable and whether he has made further representations to the British Government with a view to easing these restrictions particularly having regard to the fact that control over the distribution of clothing in Great Britain has been constantly decreased during the last six months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hand-Woven Tweed Parcel Post Trade.
The decision to restrict parcel post exports of hand-woven tweeds to Great Britain was taken because it was not possible otherwise to secure the admission of these tweeds into Great Britain on a commercial basis. The importation of hand-woven tweeds by private individuals, other than as genuine gifts, was a breach of British rationing and import regulations.
This decision does not affect the concession whereby tourists returning home from a holiday in this country are permitted to take with them reasonable quantities of hand-woven tweed at the discretion of the customs officer at the point of exit.
So far as I am aware, no difficulty is being experienced by British importers in securing licences for the importation of Irish tweed through commercial channels. I am informed, however, that difficulty is being experienced in selling hand-woven tweed commercially in Great Britain because of the heavy incidence of purchase tax thereon, and of the ample supplies of competitive cloths available there. These cloths, including Harris tweed, are subject to the same rate of purchase tax as Irish hand-woven tweeds.
I have no information as to the stocks held by traders and persons other than Gaeltarra Eireann. I have not made further representations to the British authorities with a view to easing the restrictions applicable to the parcel post trade, as I am satisfied that no purpose would be served by doing so. I am considering whether any other steps can be taken with a view to developing export markets for these tweeds.