asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that where a commodity is available from more than one country preference for the import of such commodity will, where possible, be given in respect of those countries with which this country has the most favourable trade balances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Import Preferences.
8.
The answer is "No."
Where, as in our case, private enterprise operates in a free economy, it must be assumed that importers buy to the best advantage on the basis of price and quality. Discriminatory action of the kind proposed, as well as being contrary to the O.E.E.C. principles of trade liberalisation to which we are a party, could only result in an increase in the cost of our imports.