asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (a) the number of licences authorising the importation without payment of the duty on certain essential articles unobtainable in Saorstát Eireann under Section 12 of the Finance Act, 1932, which have been issued since the 1st April last to the latest available date; (b) the quantity of the article or commodity permitted to be imported under such licences; and (c) the number (if any) of applications for such licences which have been refused and the reason for refusal in each case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Licences for Imports of Essential Articles.
I regret that it would not be possible to furnish the Deputy with the information for which he asked. Applications for licences for free import under Section 12 of the Finance Act, 1932, are not indexed separately and the analysis of all the applications to ascertain the number (if any) in this category for which licences have been issued or refused would necessitate an expenditure of time and labour which the results would not, in my opinion, justify.