asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the total quantity of maize imported in the year ended 31st March, 1947; the basis on which the allocation of this maize was made; whether any of it was allocated to firms or societies which had no maize allocations before 1940; if so, what proportion of the total quantity imported was so allocated; if, when making allocations in respect of future imports, he will confine them to millers who were trading in maize before 1940; and if not, the reasons why.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maize Imports.
The quantity of maize imported during the year ended 31st March, 1947, was approximately 110,000 tons. Monthly allocations of approximately 10,000 tons were made in respect of each of the months from June, 1946 to March, 1947. Allocations were made to former registered maize millers on the basis of 25 per cent. of the quantity of maize meal mixture manufactured by them during the year ended 31st July, 1939. In addition, a quantity of 500 tons per month was reserved for certain co-operative societies which were not previously engaged in the maize milling business but who were able to produce evidence that they had installed the necessary machinery for the manufacture of maize meal.
It is not proposed to make allocations of maize to firms or co-operative societies other than those already approved as long as maize is being distributed on the present restricted basis.