asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware of the increased purchases of tea and sugar by Great Britain; and, if so, if he will indicate if this will make possible further increases in the tea and sugar allowance here at an early date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tea and Sugar Allowances.
I have no knowledge of the increased purchases of tea and sugar by Great Britain, to which the Deputy refers.
The recent increase in the allocation of tea to this country from Great Britain has only been sufficient to enable the weekly domestic ration of tea to be increased to 1 oz. and while the allocation remains at its present level it will not be possible to make any further increase in the ration.
In regard to sugar, the indications are that it will continue for some time to be necessary to depend entirely on home production to meet requirements. It has already been announced that the sugar ration will be restored to ¾ lb. per head from 3rd November next.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what steps have been taken by him during the last three months to secure increased supplies of tea and sugar.
As the Deputy is aware, the tea ration was increased last month. In present circumstances there are no steps which might be taken to secure supplies of tea in sufficient quantities to permit of a further increase of the ration in the immediate future. As regards sugar, all supplies of which are home produced, the position is that there was a good crop of sugar beet this year and it is expected that the output of sugar in the present manufacturing season will be greater than it was in the last season.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is proposed to allow a further increase in the sugar ration; and, if so, when; and if he will make a general statement in the matter.
It has already been announced that the weekly domestic sugar ration will be increased to ¾ lb. per head as and from Saturday, 3rd November next.