asked the Taoiseach if he will state in respect of each of the years 1968 to 1973 the volume of exports of a company (name supplied) in the following ranges: (a) children's (b) infants to teens (girls) (c) infants to teens (boys) (d) ladies short and knee length wellingtons (e) men's wellingtons, size 6-12 and (f) men's galoshes, overboots and waders.

The information requested by the Deputy cannot be supplied. External trade statistics are not compiled in respect of individual companies and the provision of such data would, in any event, be contrary to accepted practice.

Arising from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, is he aware that the company in question, which enjoyed a monopoly here for years and which was protected by tariffs and otherwise, have now sent out a circular letter expressing regret and saying that a particular range of footwear would not be available until 1974? Has the Parliamentary Secretary anything to add?

The answer is that I do not know anything about this firm. The question put down by the Deputy was in respect of exports. The information about exports is not compiled in respect of individual firms.

I accept that. I have also a question on exports.

Trade statistics are not compiled in respect of individual firms. Even if they were it would be against established practice to supply the information in this form.

3.

asked the Taoiseach the number of pairs of children's, teenagers', women's and men's wellingtons and overshoes imported in each of the years from 1968 to 1973.

Data are not compiled for the specific categories in question. The available data relate to total imports of footwear with soles and uppers (a) of rubber or rubber coated fabric and (b) of plastic or plastic-coated fabric. With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to circulate in the Official Report, a statement showing the above information.

Following is the statement:

IMPORTS of footwear with soles and uppers of rubber or artificial plastic material in each year 1968 to 1972 and in the first quarter of 1973.

4.

asked the Taoiseach the total exports of footwear to each of the EEC countries in each of the years 1968 to 1973.

5.

asked the Taoiseach the volume of imports of footwear from England to this country in each year from 1968 to 1973.

6.

asked the Taoiseach the total imports of footwear from each of the EEC countries in each of the years from 1968 to 1973.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4, 5 and 6 together and to circulate in the Official Report a statement showing the available information.

Following is the statement:—

TOTAL IMPORTS OF FOOTWEAR* FROM EACH OF THE EEC COUNTRIES IN EACH YEAR 1968 TO 1972 AND IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1973.

*Excluding gaiters, spats, leggings, etc., and parts thereof.

EXPORTS OF FOOTWEAR* TO EACH OF THE EEC COUNTRIES IN EACH YEAR 1968 TO 1972 AND IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF 1973.

*Excluding gaiters, spats, leggings, etc., and parts thereof.

Excluding re-exports for the years 1968 to 1972. These were valued at £15,000, £22,000, £22,000, £32,000 and £31,000 in each year 1968 to 1972 respectively. Quantitative data are not available.

7.

asked the Taoiseach the amount of wood or wood products ducts, including paper and board, imported in 1972.

Imports of wood, wood products, paper and paperboard in the year 1972 amounted to £42.5 million.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary envisage a situation whereby we may be able to grow a greater quantity of wood in order to eliminate the import excess?

As the Deputy knows, that is a matter on which a debate took place in this House on the Estimate on forestry. Naturally that depends on exports being replaced as time goes on. I would not like to predict when that will happen.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary any plans for the rationalisation of the purchase of timber in view of the massive increase in the cost of housing?

The Deputy is broadening the scope of the question.

The Taoiseach's Department are not responsible for that.