asked the Minister for Supplies whether registered tea merchants in the country can claim any share of the tea specially imported by Tea Importers, Limited; and, if so, what is the correct procedure to be adopted.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tea Imports.
The tea imported by Tea Importers (Éire) Limited, is held by that company for distribution in accordance with my directions. A special allocation from this imported tea was made to merchants last December and the tea so allocated has already been distributed to merchants who made application for it. It is not proposed for the present to make a further allocation and when it is decided that one should be made merchants will be advised as to the procedure to be followed to enable them to obtain delivery of their allocated shares.
Are we to understand that all the tea imported from Calcutta via the U.S.A. is being held in reserve and that, when distributed, it will be equitably distributed throughout the whole country and not in any special area?
As I said, an allocation of imported tea was made last December.
I know that.
Subject to that allocation, the balance is being held in reserve and will be allocated to all the merchants concerned upon whatever basis is decided at the time.
We may assume that a person to whom tea was allocated last December will get a share of any future allocation which may be made under the Minister's direction?
That is a reasonable assumption.