asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any conditions attached to the granting of licences permitting the importation free of duty of two thousand three hundred units of 280 lbs. of wheat flour into County Donegal during the month of February, 1933; and, if so, if he will state if it was stipulated that the flour so imported was to be used in making bread.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Donegal Flour Imports.
No specific stipulation was made in the licence granted to two Donegal bakers authorising them to import certain quantities of flour, free of duty, to the effect that the flour in question should be used only in making bread. They were recommended, however, by my Department on the understanding that such flour would be used only in the bakeries of the licensees.
Is the Minister aware that the licences were used for the purpose of importing household flour and that by at least one of these importers the flour was sold in ordinary commerce against his competitors at from 3/- to 4/- a sack less than his competitors could buy flour from within the tariff barrier?
No.
May I enquire if the Minister has investigated the facts referring to this matter which I laid before him immediately after I put my question last session? Is it possible, if he has made that investigation, that he has not found what is common knowledge in the County Donegal—that these permits were used for the purpose of bringing in flour in order to engage in cut-throat competition with persons in the same trade who would not be given a permit to bring in flour?
That is a separate question.
Is the Minister aware that one of the licensees has declared that he was too cute to undercut his competitors and he was able to pocket the amount of the duty?
I think Deputies are under a wrong impression. Quite a number of licences for the importation of flour into Donegal has been issued.