asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any information in regard to the recent increase in the price of tea was communicated to any person or persons in advance of his public announcement in the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tea Price Increase.
The answer is in the negative.
Arising out of the reply, has the Minister any information to indicate that unusual purchases were made by certain firms or individuals prior to the end of September last; if so, whether he regards these purchases as normal, if not, whether he would regard them as speculative buying and whether he would make some statement for the benefit of the public who have been led to believe that certain people are making quite a packet on the increase in tea prices, because it looks as if they were helped by either anticipation or slight information?
I have no information on the matter. As soon as the Government decision was taken it was announced officially through Radio Éireann, the newspapers and through Tea Importers, Limited. There may have been purchases by individual traders from Tea Importers, Limited, or by retailers from wholesalers.