asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the total sum which has been made available in the form of guarantee or otherwise to industrial undertakings between the outbreak of the present war and the latest date for which the figures are available for the purpose of enabling such undertakings to lay in reserve stocks of (a) food, (b) raw materials.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Reserve Stocks for Industrial Undertakings.
If the Deputy's question refers to commercial undertakings normally engaged in the importation of food and raw materials the answer is that no State assistance in the form of guarantee or otherwise has been given at any time to such undertakings for the purpose of enabling them to accumulate reserve stocks. As the Deputy is aware, however, a number of private companies were established at the instance of the Department of Supplies and for the purposes of the emergency to secure, so far as practicable, the continuance of essential supplies. In the case of some of these companies it has been found necessary for me to give guarantees to the banks providing overdraft accommodation. Consideration has already been given to the general question of such guarantees for these emergency companies and it is the intention to lay a statement on the matter before the Dáil at the earliest practicable opportunity. In the circumstances, I would prefer not to anticipate the statement in replying to the Deputy's question.