asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that firewood for domestic use is being sold in lots of one ton or larger; and if so, in view of the necessity for ensuring fair distribution of firewood amongst domestic users and in order to conserve supplies of timber and firewood, he will ration firewood.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rationing of Firewood.
I am satisfied that it is not practicable at present to control the sale of firewood on a ration basis and that to attempt to do so would reduce the total supplies becoming available.
A certain amount of firewood is being delivered for domestic use in lots of one ton or more and no doubt some of it has been acquired by private arrangement with the owners of the standing timber. The regulation and supervision necessary to ensure that all such timber would be diverted to fuel merchants would, however, be very elaborate and would have very little effect on the general fuel position. The efforts of my Department are at present being concentrated on facilitating and encouraging merchants to procure increased supplies for their customers.