asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state in respect of each licence issued for the importation of shoes in each of the past two years the number of pairs covered by such licence.
Written Answer. - Licences for Importation of Shoes.
36.
Mr. Ryan
The Control of Imports Acts do not provide for the disclosure of information relating to individual licences issued within the limit of quotas appointed under those Acts, from time to time. Where, however, as provided for in Section 14 of the Control of Imports (Amendment) Act, 1937, licences are issued in excess of quotas, sub-section 14 (5) of that Act requires that after the end of every quota period the Minister for Industry and Commerce shall lay before Dáil and Seanad Éireann a statement showing the number of licences issued during each quota period, in excess of the quota, and indicating in respect of every such licence, the person to whom it was issued, the quantity of goods thereby authorised to be imported and the period limited for such importation.
As regards the leather footwear quota, the statement showing particulars of licences issued in excess of the quota during the quota period 1958, has already been presented to Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. The corresponding statement for the quota period 1959 is at present in course of preparation and will, it is hoped, be presented before the end of the present month.