asked the Minister for Supplies if his attention has been drawn to the British Government's purchase of 700,000,000 lbs. of tea in India, Ceylon and Africa; and if he will state whether Éire citizens will share in this purchase, and if the ½-oz. of tea now allowed will be increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tea Allowance.
Mr. Byrne
I have seen the newspaper report to which the Deputy refers and have made inquiries as to the effect of this transaction on allocations of tea for this country. I have been given to understand that there is no immediate prospect of any increase in the present allocation.
Mr. Byrne
Will the Minister say whether it is not a fact that we buy our tea supplies from agents in England who are sharing in this increased amount of tea, and whether, in view of that fact, we should not be getting our proper quota?
I think the Deputy misunderstands the position. There is no increase in the distribution of tea supplies in Great Britain. On the contrary, they are at present curtailing the distribution of tea supplies there.
asked the Minister for Supplies whether he is aware that many old-established retailers of tea throughout the country who did not happen to make the required purchases of tea within the datum year ending 30th June, 1939, have been unable to supply the 1/2-oz. ration to 50 per cent. of their registered customers since tea rationing was enforced; and whether the Minister will now accept the coupon G. system, recently advertised, as a basis by which retailers of tea can make application to their wholesalers for the 1/2-oz. tea ration for each of their registered customers, as in the case of D. coupons for sugar.
Since the introduction of tea rationing I have received representations from a number of licensed tea retailers to the effect that their purchases during the datum year ended 30th June, 1939, were less than their sales of tea in that year, and below their average purchases of tea over a number of years. I have had each such case examined and, when satisfied as to the facts, have authorised an appropriate increase in the monthly tea quota of the trader. I propose to continue this practice. As regards the suggestion made by the Deputy, I would point out that, as I have explained previously, I have not the same control over the tea supply as over sugar, and in consequence it would not be practicable to distribute tea to retail traders on the basis suggested.