asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that as a result of the increased area under grain crops there is a considerable demand for reaping binders and that none has been imported in recent months, and if he will say what efforts have been made by his Department to secure a quantity of same.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply of Reaping Binders.
I am aware that for some months past difficulty has been experienced in importing reaping binders. The difficulty arises from the fact that it has been found impossible to obtain shipping space for the carriage of binders from the United States or to obtain licences from the appropriate authorities in the United Kingdom for the export of machines from that country. The shipping position is such that I am afraid there is no likelihood of my Department being able to assist with regard to imports from the United States, but the question of securing export licences from the United Kingdom is being pursued.
Is the Minister aware that the International Harvester Company has a consignment of mowers, binders and disc harrows for delivery here, that these implements are, apparently, awaiting licences from the other side and will the Minister do what he can to secure those licences?
The only difficulty about that is the lack of shipping space.
Is the Minister aware that the International Harvester Company has written to me and stated that they will not supply me with any mowing machines because they cannot pay the duty imposed upon mowing machines by the Minister and that, if that duty were taken off, they could deliver mowing machines to-morrow?
This question does not relate to mowing machines.
It relates to reaping binders. Does the Minister realise that the Harvester Company cannot deliver these machines because of the tariff which he has put on agricultural machinery and that, if that tariff is taken off, they will bring in agricultural machinery to-morrow morning?
There is no possibility of providing shipping space for agricultural machinery from the United States at present.
I tell the Minister——
The Deputy must confine himself to questions to the Minister.
Is the Minister aware that the International Harvester Company are prepared to deliver agricultural machinery from their European works, situated in Great Britain, and that they will not be allowed to do so without payment of the tariff, which makes the price prohibitive?
I have been informed by the British authorities that they will not issue licences for the exportation of agricultural machinery from that country.
Is the Minister aware that I have received a letter from the International Harvester Company——
The Deputy is misinformed.
Is the Minister aware that I have received a letter from the International Harvester Company stating that the reason they cannot send agricultural machinery here is that the tariff payable to the Irish revenue is too high.
I am not so aware.
Is the Minister aware that there is no tariff on reapers or binders coming into this country?
There is a tariff on mowing machines—a prohibitive tariff.
The country is full of mowing machines, and three firms in Wexford are making them.
That is the secret.
But they are not making binders.