asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if in view of the paucity of secondhand clothes which are mainly worn by the poorer sections of the community he will consider a reduction of the 25 per cent. tariff duty on such commodities of wearing apparel.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Duty on Secondhand Clothing.
31.
Mr. Browne
The customs duty of 25 per cent. (flat) on secondhand clothing, which is at a much lower rate than the duties on new clothing, is an essential complement to the other duties affording protection to Irish textile and clothing industries and it is not proposed to reduce it. There is a provision which enables bona fide gift parcels containing secondhand clothing up to a value of £5 to be admitted free of duty.