asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has satisfied himself that the action of oil companies in refusing to supply traders with quantities of less than 40 gallons of paraffin oil is not causing an injustice; and, if he has not, what action he proposes to take to safeguard those traders.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplies of Paraffin Oil.
I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave on the 21st May, 1952, to a question from him on this subject to which I have nothing to add.
Has the Minister any conception of the injustice being imposed on the section of the community I refer to, these small shopkeepers, by this action? Has he any conception of the difficulties which confront many small traders, due principally to limited storage accommodation? The containers in any of the small shops I know are from ten to 30 gallons capacity and in order to comply with these regulations, the shopkeepers would have to buy containers of around 70 gallons capacity. In the first place, they have not got room for such containers and, in the second place, many of these people have only limited funds and it is not possible for them to buy kerosene in substantial quantities. If they are to be cut off now it means that they will lose custom in other directions, because if a person goes into a small trader for a gallon of oil and finds that he cannot supply it, he will go to some other shop for it and buy whatever other commodities he wants there as well. This is going to apply to other commodities in the future and——
Would the Deputy put a supplementary question? He is making a speech.
This is a question and I have not yet finished. What I want to know is whether the Minister approves of the policy of supplying commodities only in fixed quantities and the fixing of a certain limit below which they cannot be supplied by wholesalers. In the case of sugar, the quantity to-morrow may be fixed at two cwt. or in the case of tea, at a minimum of so many lb. All that is going to cut out the small trader and I believe it is the bounden duty of the Minister to take particular cognisance of the situation and to take steps to see that these people will not get away with what I term the outrageous moves they are making.
Would it apply to supplementary questions?
I think I am entitled to some information from the Minister.
As I told the Deputy, it is not important whether I approve or not. I have no function in the matter and I have no control over the distribution of these goods.
Is it not very peculiar that you, as Minister, cannot bring in a regulation which will prevent these people from imposing these difficulties? I do not know if there is anything in the Restrictive Trade Practices Bill——
The Deputy is making a speech. He will have to ask a question.