asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that loss is being caused to motor traders by the refusal of customers to accept delivery of vehicles ordered by them for the haulage of timber; that the refusal was consequent on his closing down the wood fuel industry; and that the re-export of these vehicles is not permitted although there is no market for them at home; and, if so, whether he will annul the regulation which prohibits the re-export of the vehicles, and thereby, in effect, renders them unsaleable.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Haulage Vehicles.
Only one case has been brought to my notice in which it has been suggested that loss to a motor trader was likely to arise because of the refusal of a customer to accept delivery of a vehicle ordered by him for use in the haulage of timber. In the particular case referred to, the vehicle was assembled here and I am not aware that there is no market for vehicles of this type at home. The Deputy must be aware that the discontinuance of purchases of timber applied only to fuel for delivery to the dumps of Fuel Importers Limited, and because of the quantities already assembled there. While I have been mindful of the interests of motor traders, there are other considerations affecting exports to which I must have regard in the present abnormal conditions. Having regard to these considerations, I had to decide not to give export licences for new lorries and I regret that I cannot modify that decision.