asked the Minister for Finance if he can state what amount has been extracted by the British between the 13th January, 1934, and the 13th February, 1934, by means of penal duties on Saorstát goods imported into England; and to estimate how much of the money withheld from Britain was on the 13th February, 1934, still to be collected; and, if he can, to estimate on what date prior to the end of the financial year will the full sum be collected.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Penal Duties.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will state (approximately) what proportion of the money extracted up to the 13th January, 1934, by penal duties on Saorstát produce is attributable to the period mid-July, 1932, to mid-November, 1932.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 16 together. I have no figures at my disposal which would enable me to furnish the information asked for. As already indicated in reply to a question by Deputy Dockrell on the 7th instant, I am not in charge of the British Exchequer.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I should like to know whether, if it should come to the Minister's notice that, in fact, these sums have been paid a fortnight before the end of the financial year, he will make representations to the British Government that the British markets be again thrown open, seeing that they have stated that the simple object of these duties is not the withholding of these moneys, but the collecting of what is due.
I refuse to answer any question based on such an improbable hypothesis.