asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his attention has been drawn to a letter in a provincial newspaper of 24th October, 1952, from a leading tea merchant in Cork stating that tea could be sold at 1/6 per lb. less than the present price were it not for the restrictions imposed by him; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Tea.
I have seen the letter to which the Deputy refers. There is nothing which I can usefully add to the statements on the subject of tea prices which I made in Dáil Éireann in reply to questions on the 22nd October, 1952. The price at which tea can be sold varies with its quality. There is no reason to believe that tea importers in this country cannot purchase teas in countries of origin as advantageously as importers in other countries.
Would the Minister indicate now that the Department of Industry and Commerce will be conducted sensibly, so that the Irish people can buy tea at a price 1/6 per lb. less than they are paying at the present time? It was the question of hides yesterday, it is the question of tea to-day and, God only knows, what it will be to-morrow. The best way to get out of the difficulty is to have common sense in the Department and let these people compete with each other in the open market.
The Deputy is making a speech in the guise of a question.
The Deputy should not believe everything he reads in the newspapers.
This is believed not only by the Deputy but by every other citizen in the country.