asked the Minister for Supplies whether he is aware of the fact that small shopkeepers are unable to obtain a quota of paraffin oil to enable them to supply customers on the basis of half a gallon of such oil per month, and whether he will indicate what steps he proposes to take to ensure that persons entitled to paraffin oil under the Emergency Powers Order will be able to receive such supplies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Paraffin Oil Supplies.
asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that the amount of paraffin oil being made available to retailers is so small that in some cases it is not divisible amongst all the retailers' customers, therefore leaving some without any, and if he will now take steps to arrange the distribution in such a manner as will ensure an equal distribution of paraffin amongst all householders who have no other means of lighting their homes.
asked the Minister for Supplies whether it is intended to make available an allowance of paraffin oil for the lighting of shop premises and of workshops used by tailors, dressmakers, carpenters, shoemakers and blacksmiths in areas where there is no alternative form of lighting.
I will take questions Nos. 31, 32 and 33 together. The quantity of paraffin oil available for all purposes is strictly limited and very far short of the country's requirements. The policy adopted in distributing paraffin oil is to give priority to the needs of food production, that is for tractors and other machinery required for tillage, harvesting and so forth. The balance of the paraffin oil supplies must be spread over all other classes of consumers. I am endeavouring to give the largest possible quantity for lighting where no other means of lighting are available and at the moment I am having information collected from licensed retailers in order to determine the amount which may be purchased in future months by each domestic consumer. So far as can be foreseen at present, I fear it will not be possible to consider applications for extra allowances for lighting purposes.
There is an obligation on licensed retailers to distribute their supplies equally amongst all their registered customers. It may happen in some cases that a retailer's supplies do not permit of each customer obtaining the maximum amount, namely a half gallon per month. In such cases the retailer should proportionately reduce his deliveries to each registered customer.
Are we to understand from the Minister that notwithstanding the order made in this matter it is possible that some householders may get no paraffin?
That is possible.
Or that they may possibly get substantially less than half a gallon per month?
Yes.
Does the Minister hold out any hope that that situation may be improved at an early date?
I do not like to hold out hopes without a sure foundation for them. I do think it may be possible to distribute paraffin on a more liberal basis during the winter months, but that expectation is based on the assumption that additional supplies are going to arrive.
On what basis has it been decided to issue paraffin to retailers for sale for household purposes? The Minister must remember that he definitely specified in the Press as far back as a month ago that a supply would be available for all householders where no other means of illumination were available. What has taken place is that in some cases retailers have got five times the amount given to retailers in other places. I want to know on what basis has it been decided to distribute paraffin to retailers for sale for household purposes. Is it supplied to retailers in sufficient quantities to enable them to sell half a gallon to each of their customers per month?
There is a minimum distribution of five gallons per retailer.
If a man has 18 customers that quantity is not divisible amongst them. It should be distributed in such quantities as would enable an equal ration for all customers.
You cannot ensure an equal distribution until you have a national register.
A national register would not help in this matter.
It would indeed.