asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that official application has been made to the International Wheat Allocation Authority for an annual allocation of 400,000 tons of wheat for Ireland; and if so, what are his intentions in regard to the policy of wheat growing in Ireland, having regard to the possibility of the requested allocation being made available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Growing.
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.
As regards the second part, I would refer the Deputy to the proposals outlined in the White Paper, published in May, 1946, which indicated policy in regard to wheat-growing in this country.
Having made full reference to the White Paper referred to, may I inquire is the Minister aware that that White Paper was issued before the Minister for Industry and Commerce applied to the International Wheat Authority for an annual allocation of 3,200,000 barrels of wheat? Is he further aware that that quantity of wheat represents the total consumption of our people of flour in any given cereal year?
Nonsense.
And is he further aware that if 600,000, 500,000, 400,000, 300,000 or 200,000 acres of wheat are then grown in this country they will be in excess of the normal annual requirements of our people assuming the rationing of bread to have been discontinued? In the light of these facts, has he no additional information to give the House as to what his policy is? Does he intend to aim at the production of 100,000, 200,000 or what acreage of wheat in the cereal year covered by the application of the Minister for Industry and Commerce?
I am fully aware of all the circumstances which led up to the making of this application and the application has my entire approval.
And now would you tell us what you are going to do about it? We know what the Minister for Industry and Commerce is going to do. What is the Minister for Agriculture going to do? Is he going to aim at 100,000, 200,000 or 400,000 acres of wheat or has wheat gone up the spout? I think it has.
Is the Deputy afraid we will have too much?
There is something gone up the spout all right.
Mr. Morrissey
May I ask if the Minister can indicate to the House what is the normal annual consumption of wheat in the country? Perhaps the Minister for Industry and Commerce will give us that figure. He said "nonsense" to Deputy Dillon.
I could not give the information right off.
I could—2,800,000 sacks of flour.
Mr. Morrissey
I have great respect for Deputy Dillon's information, but I would like to have it fortified from the other side.
If so, let the Deputy put down a question.
Mr. Morrissey
I take it the information is not available at the moment.
That is a separate question.
Mr. Morrissey
I am not giving way on the ground that it is a separate question. I think it is very pertinent to the question on the Order Paper.
Is not the Minister for Agriculture well aware that the established consumption of 70, 80 or 90 per cent. extraction flour in this country is a sack per head per annum and that the population of the country is at the present time about 2,950,000 persons? According to the extraction, you can ascertain the quantity of wheat required to make the flour. That quantity of wheat will make 90 per cent. extraction flour sufficient to supply everyone or, indeed, 85 per cent. extraction flour. What is the Minister's policy? I do not believe he knows himself.
It is set out here.