asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether, in view of statements about the dangers of possible war in Europe, and the non-appeal for or non-organisation of increased tillage during the current year, any arrangements have been made to obtain in other countries a necessary supply of foodstuffs; whether any arrangements have been made with other countries for their secure transit, should international seaborne trade be interfered with by war; whether any countries whose assistance has been sought in this way have asked for or been granted any special assistance or facilities by way of return or otherwise, and, if so, if he will state what facilities have been agreed to.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Supplies in War Time.
Firms concerned with the importation of essential commodities, including foodstuffs, have, for some time past, been urged by my Department to maintain increased stocks. Particulars of stocks of such commodities within the country are available and the question whether exceptional measures by the Government are called for in particular cases is being considered. The Deputy is aware of the steps taken for some years past to increase the supply of home-grown wheat.
Up to the present the activities of my Department have been concerned with the accumulation of stocks in anticipation of an emergency. Definite arrangements for the transport of goods to this country during a war in which seaborne trade would be interfered with, cannot easily be made by us in advance of the circumstances, but the matter is having attention. The answer to the third part of the Deputy's question is in the negative.
Is the Minister aware that last year we had a smaller acrege under cabbage, potatoes and turnips than ever before in the history of the country, and that while there was an increase in the acreage under wheat, it was not very substantial when one takes into consideration the possibility of war? Does the Minister consider, in view of the statements made by the Taoiseach and other Ministers with regard to the possibility of a European war this year, that if those statements prove correct this country will be able to carry on on the foodstuffs that are at present stored and on the crops that are sown?
It is, of course, important that we should increase our home-production of grain crops and other farm produce. As a contribution to that end, perhaps the Deputies opposite will consider the withdrawal of their opposition to that policy.
Hear, hear!
Is the Minister aware that it is too late now——
To withdraw your opposition?
——to get the additional crops that I have mentioned sown? Does the Minister realise the necessity of securing additional foodstuffs from other countries? Has he done anything to negotiate with other countries assistance in the matter of secure transit for ocean-borne foodstuffs to this country in case there is an outbreak of war?
I have answered that question.
The Minister has not indicated whether he has done anything to get an assurance from other countries that they will help to safeguard foodstuffs that are being brought over the ocean to this country.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, in view of the fact that he has paid the millers £150,000 in the past financial year to finance the storage of wheat by them, will he say if he has enforced the terms of that bargain with them, or is it true that the millers, having undertaken to store 12 months' wheat, have now only four months' wheat in stock, and have refused to store another grain?
I did not pay the millers £150,000; the millers did not undertake to store 12 months' wheat, and they have not refused to store additional grain. Therefore, the Deputy is all wrong.
Is it true that the Minister allowed the millers to add 1/- per sack to the price of flour in consideration of their storing supplies of wheat? Is it a fact that we have——
If the Deputy will read the question he will see that there is nothing in it about millers. It asks whether any arrangements are being made to obtain from other countries the necessary supply of foodstufs.
If I might submit, Sir, the question is this: to ascertain whether arrangements have been made so that adequate stores of foodstuffs are being established either by way of cultivation or through the provision of foreign supplies. The Minister informed the House that he had arranged with the millers that adequate stores of foodstuffs will be established in the country.
The question is question No. 10, which refers to supplies from other countries.
The Minister announced that his method of getting supplies was to enter into an agreement with the millers to have adequate stores of foodstuffs in the country.
The Minister did not so reply to-day.
Yes, he mentioned the action taken by his Department with the millers to maintain increased stocks.
These millers have in fact failed to buy wheat; they will not buy wheat——
If the Deputy has a supplementary inquiry to the question on the Order Paper he may ask it but he may not make a speech.
Very well. Is the Minister for Industry and Commerce aware that the millers have, in fact, refused to buy wheat so as to make the adequate provision and if they have refused to do so will he do it himself at their expense?
I refuse to consider a situation that does not exist. The Deputy, as usual, does not know what he is talking about.
I know very well that the Minister is failing to do what he should do.