asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the Minister for Defence was reported on 29th November, 1954, as having stated at a political Party convention in Longford that the price of tea should have been increased in July last, but that the Government decided to carry the burden and keep it at its present price, and, if so, if he will state what burden the Government has accepted in relation to tea prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Tea.
Mr. Lemass
I have seen the Press report referred to by the Deputy but I am not prepared to make any statement relating to the price of tea until I have received and considered the recommendation of the Prices Advisory Body following the public inquiry which reopened on the 14th instant.
Mr. Lemass
Am I right, therefore, in assuming that the statement of the Minister for Defence is incorrect, that the Government, as yet, has accepted no burden whatever in relation to the price?
I think I must let the Minister for Defence explain his own speech. I cannot explain a speech I did not hear.
The Minister for Defence did not say that they would carry the burden—the responsibility.
Mr. Lemass
He was reported as saying it.
And he wants to correct a statement that was not made.
There is truth in the news.
Mr. Lemass
But not in the Minister's speeches.
The special bulletin from the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
Mr. Lemass
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the average prices charged by Tea Importers, Limited for (a) low grade, (b) medium grade, and (c) high grade, teas on 1st July 1954, and on 1st December 1954.
As the information required is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:—
|
Grade of Tea |
Average issue prices per lb. charged by Tea Importers Ltd. on:— |
|
|
1st July, 1954 |
1st December, 1954 |
|
|
Lo |
44.82d.* |
43.75d. |
|
Medium |
51d.* |
57.33d. |
|
High |
64d.† |
90d. |
NOTES. *Since February, 1954, the issues by Tea Importers, Ltd. contain the same proportions of low and medium grade teas and the combined average price charged for both grades was 45.75d. per lb. at both 1st July and 1st December, 1954.
† As the Company's purchases of 1954 season high grade teas had not arrived by 1st July, 1954, the only high grade tea then held by Tea Importers, Ltd. was an undelivered balance of 1953 season tea already ordered by customers at an average price of 64d. per lb.
Mr. Lemass
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether the retail prices charged for tea are at present subject to control, and, if not, whether he proposes to apply control to them.
The statutory control of retail tea prices which was revoked on 5th July, 1952, has not been reimposed. There are no proposals for reimposition of this control under consideration.