asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the present position of the pig prices stabilisation fund, the withdrawals from the fund in the years 1948, 1949 and 1950, the purpose of these withdrawals, the present source of income of the fund, and further, if he will state his plans for the disposal of any unexpended balance of the fund.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pig Prices Fund.
At the end of November, 1950, the balance to credit in the stabilisation fund was £17,525 0s. 9d. Withdrawals from the fund in the years 1948, 1949 and 1950 were:—1948, nil; 1949, nil; 1950, £18,598 17s. 9d.
The purpose of the withdrawals in 1950 was to enable the export price of bacon to be kept at the same level as in 1949, and thus maintain prices received by pig producers.
The present sources of income of the fund are dividends on investments and bank interest.
The unexpended balance of the fund is and will continue to be available for the purposes for which it was established.