asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state, with reference to his reply to a question on the 7th March, 1951 (Official Report, Volume 124, columns 1341-2), whether there were any reserve stocks of petrol and fuel oils over and above the quantities returned as "Total quantity held in stock and available for distribution by importing companies on the 1st March, 1950," held on the said date; and, if so, the quantities of (a) petrol, and (b) fuel oils, so held.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Petrol Supplies.
Major de Valera
The figures referred to by the Deputy represent the total stocks held by the importing companies on the 1st March, 1951. I am not in a position to state the extent of the reserve stocks of petrol and fuel oils held by users.
Major de Valera
Would the quantity in reserve, or on hands, at that date be substantial, apart from the figures in the return which the Parliamentary Secretary gave?
Fairly substantial.
Major de Valera
Could the Parliamentary Secretary indicate the order of the reserve, and what percentage it is of our annual requirements or otherwise?
I could not say what the annual requirements are in each year. They have been growing in each year.
Major de Valera
The Parliamentary Secretary will see, if he refers to his answer, that a certain quantity was returned as being held in stock and available for distribution. Surely, he could say how much, in addition to that quantity, was actually in hands in the country as a reserve on that date.
If the Deputy puts down a separate question on that I shall endeavour to get the information.
Major de Valera
I have asked whether there were any reserve stocks of petrol and oils over and above the quantity I have referred to on that date.
As I have told the Deputy, I am not in a position to state their extent because the figures are not available. As the Deputy knows, petrol is distributed in various parts of the country, and, subject to whatever particulars are available in regard to imports on a particular date, it is not possible to ascertain figures of what the unused quantity in stock may be.
Major de Valera
So that the only stocks which are there are the unused stocks, held by retailers or wholesalers? Is that the position?
I do not know whether they are held by retailers or wholesalers. They are held in stock, but they are not held in any central stock which the Department has control of. The Department never had control of stocks.