asked the Minister for Finance if he will state on what quantities of tea was duty paid in the years ended March 31st, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936, and does this figure include all the tea imported for consumption in Saorstát Eireann during those years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Duty on Tea.
As the reply involves a number of figures, I propose, with the Deputy's permission, to have it circulated in the Official Report.
I take it that I can depend on it that the circulated reply will have the note "that the form of the question was not calculated to evoke the information sought for, and that if the Deputy frames his question correctly the Minister will let him have the information."
When the Deputy grasps the significance of the reply he will understand the error he has made in his last question.
Can I take it that the contents of the answer now to be circulated does give the information genuinely required?
I do not know whether the Deputy has been able to frame his question in such a way as to expect the information which he requires, but my reply fully answers his question.
And will, in fact, reflect the consumption of tea in Saorstát Eireann in the years referred to?
That is not the Deputy's question.
Will the answer which the Minister is circulating, in fact, reflect the consumption of tea in the years referred to?
I have nothing to add. I have answered the Deputy's question fully.
Following is the reply:—
Table showing Quantity of Tea on which Duty was Paid:—
|
Duty Paid |
|
|
lbs. |
|
|
Year ended 31st March, 1933 |
22,194,271* |
|
Year ended 31st March, 1934 |
24,384,510 |
|
Year ended 31st March, 1935 |
8,316,095 |
|
Year ended 31st March, 1936 |
19,197,305 |
* Figures relate to the period 12th May, 1932, to 31st March, 1933, only.
These figures do not include all the tea imported for consumption in Saorstát Eireann in those years as there was no duty on tea during the portion of the year ended 31st March, 1933, prior to the 12th May, 1932, or on tea entitled to Commonwealth preference between the 1st July, 1934, and 15th May, 1935, inclusive. Neither would the figures given include tea imported during those years and lying in bonded warehouses pending payment of the duty.