asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of opposition to the importation of tobacco from Rhodesia under licence, he will grant no further licences while the Smith minority régime continues.
16.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import of Rhodesian Tobacco.
15.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce what steps are being taken to ensure that none of the tobacco being imported under licence from Rhodesia goes to the Six Counties or to Britain either in raw or in processed form.
I propose, with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
The importation of tobacco from Rhodesia is prohibited except under licence since 18th January, 1966. In practice, licences have been granted only for tobacco which had already left Rhodesia or for which a definite commitment to pay for the goods had been entered into prior to the 18th January, 1966. In the circumstances, no special action to control the export of such tobacco is necessary. I might add that most of the licences so far issued have been in respect of Rhodesian tobacco being imported from the United Kingdom.
Are we to take it that no further licences will be granted?
Except on the basis already mentioned, namely, if the commitment had been entered into prior to 18th January. Presumably this must be coming to an end very soon and no further licences will be granted.