asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that a large American organisation now operating in Northern Ireland has a factory in Japan and is already having Japanese-made tennis rackets bearing its name distributed in the Republic of Ireland; and if he proposes to take any action in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Japanese-made Tennis Rackets.
24.
I have been so informed. I am not proposing to take any special action in the matter. I might add that the customs duty on tennis rackets is at present 60 per cent ad valorem, plus 8/- per racket, frame or bend.
Is the Minister indicating that he is aware there is a factory in Northern Ireland which is importing these tennis rackets and that on these tennis rackets it is shown, almost indecipherably, that they are made in Japan, and that they are coming in to the detriment of factories in this country which are employing Irish labour?
Is the Deputy saying that this factory in Northern Ireland is importing from Japan tennis rackets and sending them in here?
That is what is suggested; that is what we want to have investigated.
I shall inquire into that.
They are sending sewing machines the same way.
The rules of origin which would apply to the recent concessions we have made will require a certain minimum Northern Ireland content.
They assemble the sewing machines; they do not assemble tennis rackets.
There is a racket in sewing machines.
(Interruptions.)
Somebody knows when he is hit.