asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total amount so far expended in connection with industrial alcohol factories, the amount of alcohol so far produced, and the cost per gallon of any alcohol so produced, or the cost per gallon at which it is believed such alcohol will be produced, and the price paid or to be paid per ton of potatoes for such production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Industrial Alcohol Factories.
The report of the proceedings under the Industrial Alcohol Act, 1934, during the year ended 31st March, 1937, is in course of preparation, and will be laid before the House shortly. This document will contain the information asked for by the Deputy in respect of the total amount expended up to the 31st of March in connection with the establishment of the industrial alcohol industry. Only one of the factories has been started up, and will only be in actual production of alcohol in the course of the coming week. I am not in a position at the moment to give an estimate of the cost of production of the alcohol to be produced. The price that is being paid for this season's crop of potatoes is 35/- per ton, on the basis of 16 per cent. starch content, with an additional 2d. for every one-tenth of 1 per cent. of starch above 16 per cent, and a reduction of 3d. per one-tenth of 1 per cent. of starch under 16 per cent. There is an additional allowance of 1/- per ton per month for potatoes delivered to the factory after the 31st of December. For next year's crop it is proposed to pay 40/- per ton, with the other conditions the same as this year, except that the reduction for a starch content under 16 per cent. is at the rate of 2d. per one-tenth of 1 per cent.
Why are the prices for potatoes for this season so much less satisfactory than those which it is intended to pay in succeeding seasons?
I am afraid I could not give an adequate answer to the question. The advisory board responsible, no doubt, had to take into account the prices at which potatoes could be procured, having regard to current market prices.
For next autumn?
Yes.
Does the Minister mean for next year's crop?
For the potatoes grown this year—the 1937 crop.