asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that there are hides lying in yards all over the country which cannot be sold, and whether he will allow them to be exported.

The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the negative. Tanners in this country are prepared to purchase any suitable hides offered to them through the usual trade channels. There is a limited export of hides to Great Britain at present but export facilities are granted only to firms who normally engage in this export trade and only in cases where my Department is satisfied that the hides are surplus to the requirements of the tanneries.