asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state in respect of the three-year periods ending (i) on the 31st December, 1939, and (ii) on 31st December, 1948, the average quantity of industrial alcohol of normal purity and strength produced in the factories operated by Ceimicí Teoranta: (a) per £ sterling spent on fuel; (b) per ton of potatoes used; and (c) per £ sterling expended on wages and salaries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Production of Industrial Alcohol.
(i) The industrial alcohol factories were not in operation for a period of three years ending on the 31st December, 1939. Taking as reasonably representative the period from the 21st March, 1939, on which date Ceimicí Teoranta took over the factories, to the 30th September, 1939, the date to which its accounts are made up, the information asked for is: (a) 111 gallons, (b) 23 ¾ gallons, (c) 50 gallons.
(ii) In respect of the three-year period ending on the 30th September, 1948, the information asked for is: (a) 29.7 gallons, (b) 24.5 gallons, (c) 22.9 gallons.
It is desirable to add that the two periods in question are not at all comparable, as account must be taken of such factors as different periods of continuity of operations, different qualities and prices of fuel, and varying starch contents of potatoes.