asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state in respect of Knocklong Creamery and Condensed Milk Factory and each of its auxiliaries for the financial year ended March 31st, 1928, (a) the quantity of whole milk purchased and the average price paid therefor; (b) the quantity of separated milk purchased for condensing, and the average price paid therefor; (c) the quantity and value of butter and cream produced; (d) the quantity and value of condensed milk produced; (e) the total amount of working expenses; (f) the total amount of capital expenditure; (g) the amount charged for depreciation of premises, plant and machinery; (h) the gross profit, and (i) the net profit earned during the year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Knocklong and Ballylanders Creameries.
The total quantity of whole milk purchased for treatment at Knocklong during the twelve months ended 31st December last was 3,055,000 gallons. The gross value of the produce therefrom was £102,560. The average price paid for the milk was 6.81d. per gallon.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will state the weekly wage of each employee (including the salary of the manager) at the Ballylanders Branch of the Condensed Milk Company of Ireland (Ltd.).
Mr. Hogan
There are four employees at the auxiliary creamery referred to. The manager is paid £3 10s. 0d. per week, two employees £1 13s. 0d. each per week, and the remaining employees £1 10s. 0d. per week.
Mr. Crowley
Has the Minister answered all the questions which I put to him? I refer specially to the first question.
Mr. Hogan
Not all. I have not answered all that is asked in the first question—that is, question 4— because I do not think it is in the interests of the company that these matters should be made public. This company is competing with very powerful rivals in this and other countries. We hope to transfer it eventually to the farmers. It is run as a commercial concern, and it is not right that rivals should know all about the position of the company. I have not, therefore, answered all the matters asked in question 4.
Mr. Crowley
I think the Minister ought to answer the question fully, because it is the farmers of that district who are supplying the milk out of which the profits are being made, and they are entitled to know whether the creamery is paying as well as other creameries. I think, therefore, that the farmers of the district are quite entitled to ask for and get that information, or some explanation from the Minister.
Mr. Hogan
As far as the farmers are concerned, they will not only be entitled to get it, but they will know all about it, when they are buying. They must get the information they require. Meanwhile, we have to run this concern in competition with concerns elsewhere, and it is not in the interests of this commercial concern that every detail of its business should be known to its rivals. To permit that would obviously be very bad business. Libby's would not give any of these details about their own business, and why should the Condensed Milk Company of Ireland? When the farmers are buying it, they will get full information about all the facts. We are merely holding this in trust in the meantime.