asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any licences to import flour have been issued since January 1st, 1935; whether applications for any such licences have been refused during the same period, and, if so, what are the reasons for this discrimination between applicants for licences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flour Import Licences.
Licences for the importation of wheaten flour since the 1st January, 1935, have been issued to registered flour importers who imported flour during the years 1929 to 1931. In addition, licences have been issued direct to biscuit manufacturers. Applications for licences have been received from persons other than such importers, and these applications have been refused.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is he aware that the licences which he issued to certain individuals to import flour are worth £5,000, inasmuch as the licences were for the importation of 20,000 sacks of flour, the purchase price of which was approximately 27/3 per sack, free on quay, Dublin, and the average selling price of which is 38/- to 38/6 per sack, free on rail? Will he consider distributing licences of that character more equitably over the persons who use flour in the country, rather than confining them to a very restricted number of persons, and thereby putting £5,000 free into the pockets of a very restricted section of the community, at the expense of the consuming public of this country?
That is a ridiculous supplementary, Sir.