asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of the fact that the weekly butter ration in recent months has been restricted to two ounces per head, and that the total quantity of butter required to provide this ration is comparatively small in relation to the total quantity produced in normal years, he will state what steps were taken, before fixing the ration, to ascertain whether butter was being sent out of the country illegally or otherwise in substantial quantities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Butter Ration.
As the export of butter is controlled by the Minister for Agriculture, information is available at all times in regard to the quantities licensed for export. Apart from small quantities provided for ships' stores, no commercial exports of butter were licensed during the production year ended 30th April, 1947. The total quantity of butter exported during the year under special licences to individuals, to enable them to send butter out of their own butter rations to persons of Irish nationality resident abroad, in certain circumstances, was 40 cwt. approximately. I am satisfied that the preventive measures adopted by the Revenue Commissioners ensure that unlawful exports of butter, to the extent that they exist, are on a small scale.