asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is now in a position to state the quantity of tea which will be imported this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tea Imports.
It is proposed, if the market conditions permit, to purchase this year up to 24,000,000 lbs. of tea, but it is not possible to state what quantity will be imported during the year.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary say if it is not possible to buy enough tea to abolish the ration?
It may be, but up to the present it has not been.
I understand that tea is now coming on the market and if purchases are to be made on an adequate scale to abolish the ration they must be made now. If it is left until later in the year it may not be possible to obtain the additional tea to permit you to abolish the ration.
We are making arrangements to purchase tea, but it is not possible to say when it will be available.
There will, at any rate, be a minimum of 24,000,000 lbs. purchased?
There will be a minimum of 24,000,000 lbs. purchased.