asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that German oats imported into the Irish Free State have the advantage of a subsidy from the German Government, either in the form of cash or by licence to import, free of duty, into Germany an equivalent quantity of maize to the quantity of oats exported, and, if so, whether, seeing that the Free State can produce all the oats necessary for consumption therein, for feeding or manufacture of oatmeal, the Minister will consider subjecting imported oats to the same tariff that applies to imported oatmeal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tariff on Imported Oats.
I am aware that exporters of certain classes of grain in Germany are supplied, on application, with import certificates which entitle the holders to import a quantity of these products to a value corresponding to the Customs value of the import certificate without payment of Customs duty; but the information before the Department does not indicate that maize is included in the classes of grain to which this arrangement applies.
The information available to the Department indicates that no consignments of oats from Germany have been imported into the Free State, at least during the last twelve months. It is possible, however, that oats of German origin may have been consigned to this country from Great Britain without disclosure of the country of origin; but no evidence of this has been furnished to the Department.
Under the circumstances, the proposal in the concluding part of the question does not arise.
Mr. Murphy
I think I could furnish the Minister with information that shows that German oats do come into the country. Does he not agree that the licence to import cereals free of duty into Germany really amounts to a subsidy on the oats exported?
I would prefer the Deputy raise that question with the Minister.