asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he is aware that the proprietors of a monthly farming journal published in the Free State and claiming a fair circulation have made it a practice, over a long period, to have copies for postal subscribers posted in Northern Ireland letter-boxes; if the Minister is also aware that the publishers responsible for this action are in receipt of substantial commissions from the Free State as agents for official Government advertising; to ask, further, if in view of all the circumstances of this case any steps are contemplated to compel those who utilise the Free State postal services to contribute to the revenue of the State and to remove the firm responsible for the action outlined from the list of those receiving official recognition as advertising agents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Farming Journal's Practice.
I am aware that the publishers of a monthly farming Journal have made it a practice of posting the journal outside Saorstát Eireann in order that it may benefit by the lower rate of postage in force in Northern Ireland. It has been pointed out to the publishers that by this practice the State is deprived of revenue to which it is properly entitled, but such representations have had no effect. Legislation is pending under which it will be possible to deal effectively with this abuse.
The question of the removal of a firm from the list of those receiving recognition as advertising agents is a matter for the Minister for Finance.
Did the Parliamentary Secretary make any representations to the Minister for Finance with a view to having them removed?
We are looking at this matter from a different aspects— from the aspect of the Post Office— and we are preparing legislation to deal with it. I am not aware at the moment that we have made any representations of the kind suggested.