asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state the percentage of the petrol imported during the seven months ended July 31st, 1941, allocated to (a) the Army authorities; (b) the Gárda authorities; (c) other Government Departments and services; (d) the users of commercial lorries, and (e) the users of private motor cars.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Petrol Imports.
The Deputy will observe from the Motor Spirit Rationing Order, 1941, that licences are not required for the purchase of petrol for State purposes. Consequently, the petrol used for such services is not allocated by my Department. Certain allowances were, however, made to the Army authorities for the use of individual officers, Local Defence force, and certain other purposes which in the aggregate amounted to about 0.9 per cent. of the imports for the seven months ended 31st July, 1941. Allowances were also made to the Gárda authorities for the use of officers, Local Security Force, and for certain other purposes, amounting to about 0.7 per cent. of the imports in the same period.
Allocations for other Government Departments and services amounted to 2.34 per cent. of the imports in the same period.
53.4 per cent. of the imports over the period was allocated to owners of commercial lorries, and 17 per cent. approximately to owners of private motor cars, including doctors and others entitled to supplementary professional allowances, and to local authorities for cars used on official business. About 10 per cent. of the imports represented the basic allowances for private cars.