I move:—
That Seanad Éireann hereby approves of the Sugar (Prohibition of Import) Order, 1941.
Sugar (Prohibition of Import) Order, 1941—Motion of Approval.
The Sugar (Control of Import) Act, 1936, empowers the Government, by order, to prohibit the import of sugar save under licence issued by the Minister for Industry and Commerce, and provides further that licences may not be issued except to Comhlucht Siuicre Eireann. The prohibition order was made on the 29th April last, and that order, as in the case of previous prohibition orders, has to be confirmed by both Houses. Otherwise it will cease to have effect. The motion now is to confirm that order, so that it may continue in force until 30th April next year.
Why is it undesirable to allow a person to import sugar from the Six Counties? I am not saying that there is not good reason for confining the right to import to the Sugar Company, but I think the Minister should explain the reason briefly.
That matter has been discussed at some length in the House. The concentration of power to import in a single concern has had the effect of equalising the price of sugar all over the country. As there is a monopoly in the manufacture of sugar, and as on occasion foreign-manufactured sugar has been imported at prices which were above the cost of manufacture here—and which sometimes were below the cost of manufacture here—it was felt desirable, in the general public interest, that everybody should have the benefit of the economies which could be secured from large orders placed for imported sugar by one concern. It is due to this, in fact, that foreign and home-manufactured sugar can be distributed in equal proportions all over the country, and that sugar, generally, can be sold at a uniform price. This position has been particularly advantageous since the outbreak of the war, because in the period between the 1st May, 1939, and 30th April, 1940, so large a quantity as 89,000 tons of sugar was purchased by the sugar company. That was supplemented by further purchases of about 28,000 tons from the 1st May, 1940, to the 30th April, 1941. As the Senator is aware, that has constituted a very valuable sugar reserve which has enabled practically a free distribution of sugar to be maintained in this country, while it has been necessary drastically to ration sugar supplies elsewhere.
Would not the Minister's purpose be achieved by fixing a price for sugar? What harm would be done by a person importing sugar if he were compelled to sell it at the price fixed by the sugar company?
It is unlikely that any other person here would be able to buy sugar on the same advantageous terms as a company able to place an order for 80,000 tons. Apart from that, in the circumstances of the time it is doubtful whether it would have been possible to secure shipment of sugar in anything like the quantities which, at the outbreak of the war, were deemed to be necessary.
What is the present position with regard to stocks of sugar?
That is a question which should be directed to the Minister for Supplies. I gather that stocks are adequate to provide a fairly good ration of sugar until the close of the manufacturing season and well into next year.
Question put and agreed to.