asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that many farmers and co-operative societies in County Tipperary are seriously affected by the fact that tin plates and bottoms for the repair of dairy utensils are not available, and that several hundreds of creamery churns are out of use as a result; and if he will state what steps he has taken or proposes to take to get the necessary export licence from Great Britain, the United States or elsewhere for the materials required.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repair of Dairy Utensils.
I am aware that tinplate and bottoms for the repair of dairy utensils have not been available for some time, and that the repair of creamery churns has in consequence been seriously affected. I caused representations to be made recently to the British authorities for the release of tinplate for this and other purposes, but was informed that, owing to the severe shortage of this material, the use of tinplate is not allowed in that country for any purpose other than the packing of foodstuffs and that exports are allowed only for the purpose of packing foodstuffs intended for consumption in Great Britain. There is, therefore, no hope that supplies for the repair of dairy utensils can be obtained from that source for the present.
My information is that tinplate is also particularly scarce in the United States, but recently I had representations made to the United States authorities for permission to obtain supplies from that source and I await the outcome of those representations. Inquiries are also being made as to the possibility of procuring supplies from continental countries. If supplies are imported for general use here, the requirements of the creamery industry will be borne in mind.
Will the Minister say whether, in view of the fact that substantial quantities of condensed milk are sent from here to Great Britain, he will make representations; that this material is required in order that milk may be collected and despatched as condensed milk to Great Britain and that, in fact, while it may not be used for the actual and direct packing of the condensed milk, it is used for the collection of the milk out of which the condensed milk is made?
I think there is very little prospect that the British Government will allow the export of tinplate to this country for purposes for which the use of tinplate is not allowed in Great Britain.
Is copper a suitable substitute for this material?
That is a technical question on which I would not offer an opinion.