asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is prepared to alter the regulations relating to tea rationing in order to enable people to change their registration from one retailer to another during a rationing period, particularly where change of residence has taken place, as is allowed in regard to sugar and butter, and if he will state whether his Department have advised persons affected under the present regulations to purchase unsubsidised tea during the period which elapses before transfer of registration can take place.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tea Rationing Regulations.
A consumer is at liberty at all times to transfer from the retailer with whom he is registered for tea rations to any other retailer who is willing to accept him as a registered customer. Where such transfer takes place during the current ration period, the second retailer must provide the rations for the new customer for the balance of that period out of his existing supplies. When a new ration period begins, supplies in respect of that customer, if he is still registered, will be available to the retailer. It is intended that a new ration period will commence about the middle of this year, and there will be a fresh registration of consumers with retailers before the new ration period begins. Consumers will then have the opportunity of reregistering with their present retail suppliers or transferring their registrations to other retailers, if they so desire.
No such advice as is mentioned in the last part of the question has been given by my Department. Consumers should, of course, make sure before removing their registration pages from retailers with whom they are lodged that the other retailers to whom they intend to transfer them are in a position to supply them with rationed tea.
The Minister has not denied the details given in the question, that in case of the tea ration a change can only be made in six monthly periods?
I have.
Does the Minister say that a person is permitted to change from one retailer to another on change of residence?
At any time.