asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any prohibition order prohibiting the importation of sugar into Saorstát Eireann has been made under the Sugar (Control of Imports) Act, 1936, and, if so, whether any licences have been issued to Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, Teoranta, under that Act, and, if so, for what amounts and under what conditions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Sugar.
An Order prohibiting the importation of sugar into Saorstát Eireann during the period commencing on 1st May, 1936, and ending on 30th April, 1937, was made by the Executive Council on the 24th April, 1936.
Since the date on which the Order was made licences have been issued to Comhlucht Siúicre Eireann, Teoranta, authorising the Company to import 23,427 tons, 11 cwts. of sugar.
The licences were issued on payment of a provisional fee at the rate of 1d. per cwt. No conditions were attached to the licences beyond those requiring the Company to present the licence to the proper officer of Customs and Excise and to return the licence to the Department of Industry and Commerce when the quantity authorised to be imported under it had been imported.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, in which he mentions a provisional fee of 1d. per cwt., can he say when he will be in a position to inform the House what the final assessment in respect of that fee will be?
Probably in April, 1937, after the conclusion of the year.
After the conclusion of the financial year?
Yes.
I see. Will the Minister for Finance communicate in the ordinary course of events the amount that the Exchequer has received in respect of that fee?
Certainly.
Or will we have to elicit it by way of Parliamentary Question and Answer?
The information, in the ordinary way, will be made available for the Dáil.