asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that many large city firms who had accumulated in the early years of the emergency a very large stock of commodities such as tea, cigarettes and tobacco, now find that, owing to the quota system as operated, they are unable to dispose of their surplus through trade channels; and if he will have inquiries made into this matter as it is alleged that this is one of the direct causes of black market operations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - City Firms' Stocks of Supplies.
I am satisfied that the stocks of tea held by traders generally represent no more than a reasonable trading reserve against possible contingencies, and I do not propose, therefore, to make the special inquiries suggested by the Deputy. It is, however, the practice of my Department to facilitate traders desiring to dispose through trade channels of stocks of tea accumulated previous to the introduction of rationing, and if any of the firms that the Deputy has in mind make application to my Department, the matter will be considered. I am not aware that any firms are finding difficulty in disposing of cigarettes and tobacco. There is no quota system applying to the distribution by wholesalers and retailers of surplus stocks of these commodities.