asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the quantity of unrationed tea sold during the financial year 1949-50, the cost price of such tea to Tea Importers, Limited, and the wholesale and retail prices charged for it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Unrationed Tea Sales.
Unrationed tea was first made available as from the 1st August, 1949. The quantity of such tea sold by Tea Importers, Limited, during the period of eight months ended 31st March, 1950, was 787, 481 lbs. The average c.i.f. cost of all tea sold by Tea Importers, Limited, during the year 1949-50 was approximately 3/4 per lb., but until the expenses of the company for that year have been finally ascertained, it is not possible to give the total cost of tea to the company.
The wholesale and retail prices of unrationed tea were 4/11½ per lb. and 5/6 per lb. respectively as from 1st August, 1949. These prices were increased by 6d. per lb. as from the 25th February, 1950.