asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that there was until recently an arrangement in force by which importers of Ferguson trailers were refunded the import duty thereon if they were being used for agriculture and that such concession was withdrawn without warning to anyone, and if he will accordingly recommend the Revenue Commissioners to extend the concession to all those who imported for this use before the withdrawal of the concession was notified to the agents.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import Duty on Trailers.
The arrangement under which facilities were granted for the duty free importation of tractor trailers intended for use by farmers for agricultural purposes terminated on the 12th March, 1952. The concession was not confined to imports of any particular make of trailer.
As a result of investigation and discussions with Irish manufacturers of trailers it was ascertained that they were in a position to meet all reasonable requirements at competitive prices. It was, therefore, decided that the concession should be discontinued.
A number of representations have been received, from Deputies and others, in this matter, and I have recently reconsiderd my earlier decision. I am now prepared, in those cases where the trailers were actually imported before the withdrawal of the concession was notified to importers, to recommend the Revenue Commissioners to make a refund of duty paid on them.
Will the Minister consider dealing with cases where he is satisfied that there was an unconditional contract made before that date of which nobody could possibly know? I agree that the Minister must be the arbiter as to whether the contract is unconditional or not.
That will be considered.
Do I take it from the Minister's reply that the owners of trailers imported between the 12th March last year, when the Order came into effect, and December last, during which period the purchasers were under the impression that the import duties would be remitted, will be refunded the duty?
No; that would be too sweeping.
Between 60 and 70 purchasers of trailers knew nothing about this Order being revoked until December. I think even the Minister's own Department was kept in ignorance of the fact.