asked the Minister for Supplies if, when the Government agreed with the British Government to purchase all the tea required in this country through the British Tea Control, there were other sources of supply and purchase open to the Government; If the arrangement to supply this country with 100 per cent. of normal purchases of tea was, when made, expressed to be binding for any specified period, and, if so, for what period; if any stipulation was made with or suggested to the British Government that in the event of shipments to the British Tea Control fluctuating or decreasing this country would receive the same percentage of normal supplies as Great Britain or if any fixed relationship was to hold between the allotments of tea to this country and to Britain; if representations have since 4th April been made to the British Government in connection with the reductions since mid-January of tea supplies successively to 75 per cent., 50 per cent., and 25 per cent. of normal purchases, and, if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tea Purchases.
The agreement to which the Deputy refers was an informal one. Before it was concluded the bulk of the tea requirements of this country was being provided by the Tea Control of the British Ministry of Food, as this portion of the supply was ordinarily obtained through London agencies. When the agreement regarding the balance of the requirement was made, other sources of supply and purchases were open. Even at that time it appeared likely, however, that these other sources would not continue to be available, either because of an extension in the area of war operations or through lack of shipping facilities from the countries of origin. In the event, almost immediately after the agreement one source of supply was cut off and the difficulties in regard to shipping from the other sources were substantially increased.
The arrangement with the British Ministry of Food was made following an intimation from them that they were prepared to make themselves responsible for meeting all the tea needs of this country. Discussion proceeded on the assumption on both sides that our tea supplies would not be restricted below normal. There was no stipulation that, in the event of shipments to the British Tea Control fluctuating or decreasing, this country would receive the same percentage of supplies as Great Britain, or as to any fixed relationship between the allotments of tea to this country and those to Great Britain. In July, 1940, after the introduction of rationing in Great Britain, I was informed by the Ministry of Food that it was not proposed to apply to the supplies to this country the reduction then being made in Great Britain, and I was notified that, for the present at any rate, this country would continue to receive allocations on the basis of 100 per cent. of our normal requirements. No notification of intention to make a reduction in the 100 per cent. basis of allocation was received until the 18th January, 1941.
With regard to the last part of the Deputy's question, numerous representations to and discussions with the British Ministry of Food have taken place since the reduction in allocations to this country began, and I am now satisfied that there is no course open to us which will increase, for the present, allocations of tea through that channel.
Why was the agreement with the British an informal one?
That was the type of agreement which it seemed best to make.
Mr. Morrissey
Did it also seem best to the Government not to make any stipulation, in the circumstances then existing, as to our getting a proportion of the total supplies?
I think that the Deputy should study the reply. Obviously, he has not understood its purport.
Mr. Morrissey
I have understood the reply so well that I am trying to relate it to the Minister's last statement on the tea question and I cannot do so.
Is there, in the Minister's view, no prospect of our getting more than 25 per cent. of our tea imports from Britain in the future?
I am satisfied that that is the case for the immediate future.
Would the Minister not point out to the British Government that they are getting valuable foodstuffs from us, and that they should reciprocate by giving us a fair allocation of tea, particularly in view of their early promise to supply our full requirements?
The Minister has stated that the allocation of tea is down to 25 per cent. Is he aware that the supply from the wholesale importers of tea to retailers is down to 20 per cent., and has that been done with his sanction?
It has been done by my order. The balance of the allocation is required for bulk purchasers—hotels, restaurants, institutions, schools, the Army and so forth.
That has been done by arrangement with the Department?
Yes.
Will the Minister consider allowing tea to be distributed on the basis of the one ounce ration inasmuch as the distribution of tea on the basis of a half-ounce ration is making such supplies of tea as we have quite useless, and imposing an intolerable hardship on country people who have to come into town to purchase tea?
I do not think that that would be a wise course to adopt, but I am also satisfied that we cannot discuss this question by way of question and answer at this stage.