asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the total number and value of sheep pelts that have been permitted to be exported under licence from this country during the years 1962, 1963 and 1964; whether he is aware that numbers of sheep pelts far in excess of those permitted are in fact going out of the country and causing unemployment in home tanneries; and if he will have the matter investigated.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Sheep Pelts.
36.
I presume the Deputy is interested in the exports of skins as well as pelts. The number of skins and pelts licensed for export was 794,770 in 1962, 1,103,328 in 1963 and 936,613 in 1964. I have not got particulars of the value of the skins and pelts licensed but the export statistics show that 626,763 skins and pelts were exported in 1962 at a value of £268,052; 1,073,581 were exported in 1963 at a value of £612,902 and 718,062 were exported in 1964 at a value of £660,519.
I am not aware that the number of either skins or pelts exported is in excess of that permitted and the figures I have quoted indicate the contrary. These figures include quantities of pelts exported by tanners. The matter has been investigated from time to time and the position continues to be kept under observation. Procedures to prevent the abuse suggested by the Deputy are, of course, in operation.
What consideration does the Minister give when issuing licences to exporters in respect of pelts and skins? Who qualifies for these licences?
That seems to be a separate question.
I think it relevantly arises out of the question.
I do not think it does. The question deals with the total number and value of sheep pelts that have been permitted to be exported.
Under licence. Who gets the licences?
How the licences are allotted does not seem to arise relevantly out of that. It is a matter for a separate question.
Would the Minister consider it is irrelevant to ask him who gets the licences?
The information I have is in relation to the skins rather than the person getting the licence.
It is the skins which are licensed?
I would ask the Deputy to put down another question about it.