asked the Minister for Lands if he will state what is the estimated value of the stocks of materials, including finished goods, in the hands of the Gaeltacht Industries as at 31st March, 1937; the value of machines in stock at the same date, and also the value of the sales for the year ended 31st March, 1937.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Gaeltacht Industries' Stocks.
The sales for the year 1936/37 of the products of the rural industries amounted to £31,990. The stocks of materials and finished goods and of machinery equipment were duly taken at the industrial centres throughout the Gaeltacht, at the marketing depôt and in stores as at the 31st March, 1937, but it has not been possible to complete the valuation of the stocks in the short time which has elapsed since the stocktaking.
Does the Parliamentary Secretary not think it advisable that the Estimate should be postponed each year until the trading figures are available? Does he realise the effect of putting the cart before the horse each year and will he see that it will not occur in future?
I do not think that there is any necessity for alteration of the scheme already in existence.
That means that the figures should come after the Estimate?
Yes.