To ask the Minister for Finance whether on the establishment of the Six Counties Custom Frontier it is the intention of the Government to change duties on goods of foreign manufacture; whether the rate will be similar to those collected under the British Fiscal system; whether discrimination will be made in favour of goods of British manufacture, and if so, what reciprocal arrangements, if any, are made on the British side as regards goods of Irish origin.

Whether any accurate idea of the volume or fiscal possibilities of the foreign trade of the Free State can be had by allowing free dumping from a neighbouring country or territory.

Whether he is aware of the fact that in return for a few small concessions in taxation certain Irish manufacturers are prepared to guarantee the employment of 100,000 additional hands within the coming twelve months.

In reply to the first part of the question, I would suggest that the Deputy should await the Budget proposals which will be submitted to the Dáil before the end of the present month.

I am not quite clear as to the meaning of the second part of the question, but if the Deputy will let me have precise particulars of the information that he desires I will endeavour to meet his wishes.

I am not aware of the concessions to which the Deputy refers in the third part of his question, but he will have an opportunity of putting them before the Dáil in the course of the debates on the Finance Bill.