asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state whether he is aware that the Sugar Beet Company have decided to retain all beet pulp as their own property, and that this is detrimental to the best interests of agriculture in the beet-growing areas; and whether he will take steps to have this policy changed, and have the beet pulp returned to the growers as their property.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Beet Pulp.
The operations of the Sugar Company do not fall within the particular sphere of responsibility of the Minister for Agriculture, and it would, therefore, be better if questions that Deputies may wish to put about the company's affairs were addressed to the appropriate Minister.
As regards the two questions Nos. 36 and 37 on the Order Paper, I would refer the Deputy to the announcement that appeared in the newspapers on Monday of the setting up of a board which is to conclude its inquiry and to fix prices for beet and pulp not later than the 15th February.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, I want to know if the Minister is aware that the cost of manufacturing sugar from beet here is 50 per cent. higher than in England and that the profits of the Sugar Company are 50 per cent. higher than those of British companies? Will this aspect of the case be examined by the board set up in order to bring the cost of manufacture more into line with British costs and thus put the company in the position of paying a decent price for beet?
I cannot accept the Deputy's figures, but all relevant circumstances will be considered by this Board of Inquiry.
Would the Minister say who is the appropriate Minister to whom questions concerning the beet growers should be addressed?
The Minister for Finance.