asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that the quality of the protective clothing supplied to the employees of local authorities under the combined purchasing schemes is exceptionally poor and affords little protection in periods of inclement weather; and, if so, if he will state what steps he proposes to take to ensure that better quality materials will be provided in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Protective Clothing.
No complaints have been received regarding the quality of dungarees or oilskin clothing supplied by official contractors for issue to road workers. Such complaints could only arise from the garments supplied not being in accordance with the standard specification. If the Deputy will submit the particulars of the complaints the matter will be further investigated.
asked the Minister for Local Government whether he is aware that protective clothing for road workers supplied under the combined purchasing scheme has not been delivered to local authorities by the appropriate contractors in sufficient quantities according to requirements from time to time; and, if so, if he will state what steps he proposes to take to have deliveries expedited in future.
(a) Dungaree suits — The official contractors experienced considerable difficulty in executing orders promptly during the past 12 months owing to slow and insufficient deliveries of cloth from the Irish mills. Additional delay was caused from time to time by local authorities failing to advise the firm of the sizes of the garments they required. It is not anticipated that the delays will arise during the current period as (1) the Irish mills have promised improved deliveries and (2) the attention of local authorities is being drawn to the necessity for giving full particulars of the sizes required with their orders.
(b) Oilskin clothing — No complaints were received regarding delays in delivery by the official contractors for oilskin jackets and trousers during the period ended 31st March, 1950.
The official contractors for long oilskin coats and leggings obtained their supplies from cross-Channel sources, the manufacturers' delivery period being four or five weeks. In order to cover this delay and also customs clearance delays, the firm specified a minimum period of delivery from date of order of five to six weeks, but found it difficult to supply within that period owing to customs clearance delays which were longer than anticipated. These delays will not arise during the current period as the garments now on contract are manufactured in this country.