asked the Minister for Supplies whether he is aware that large numbers of turf workers and other workers engaged in essential services are unable to secure cycle tyres at fixed prices or at any price in some areas; and if he will request retailers to keep a register of persons to whom tyres are sold and instruct them to give first preference for purchase of tyres to those engaged in the production of food and fuel and other essential national services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchase of Cycle Tyres.
I have given careful consideration on many occasions to the possibility of restricting the sale of cycle tyres to persons engaged on essential work, but have found that it would be quite impracticable to attempt to differentiate between the many and varied classes of persons who could justly claim that they require their bicycles for such work. I cannot, therefore, instruct retailers to give priority to any particular class, but I have been assured by the cycle trade that they are doing their best to ensure that, as far as possible, tyres will be supplied only to those persons most urgently and immediately in need of them. All licensed cycle tyre retailers are required by the Emergency Powers (Cycle Tyres) Order, 1942, to keep detailed records of all cycle tyres purchased or otherwise acquired and all cycle tyres sold or otherwise disposed of by them.
Would the Minister not think that the time is fast approaching when he might distribute cycle tyres on much the same basis as he is distributing shoeing iron, allowing the applicant for a tyre to apply to a central authority for a licence. Then when the retailer got a tyre from the manufacturer he could supply it to the licensed person.
The administrative problems in operating any such scheme would make it impracticable.
I suggest the time is approaching when the Minister might consider that.
It would be impossible to carry out an inspection of the needs of individuals.
Does the Minister realise that the production of food and fuel has been seriously affected by the failure of agricultural workers and turf workers to get cycle tyres at a reasonable price?
The price has been fixed.
But the workers cannot get the tyres.
Any person who is offered a tyre at a price above the fixed price and who reports the matter to my Department in such a manner as to enable a prosecution to be taken against the person making the offer, will be supplied by me with a tyre at the fixed price.