asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the quantity and value of imported butter at present on hands and if he will indicate the quantity and cost of butter on order for delivery before the end of this year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imported Butter Stocks.
Mr. Walsh
The quantity of imported butter held by the Butter Marketing Committee on 21st July, 1953, was 18,943 cwt. valued at £360,150. The answer to the second part of the question is "Nil."
What are you going to do with this butter?
Mr. Walsh
Eat it.
Is it being issued at the moment?
Mr. Walsh
Not at the moment?
How long are you going to keep it?
That is another question.
Is it not a proper inquiry arising out of the question on the Order Paper when the Minister says he is holding butter in cold store to ask him how long it is proposed to hold it? He must know.
This question has reference to quantity and value of imported butter.
Yes, and I am asking him what he is going to do with it. I suggest that if he keeps it long enough both the quantity and cost will be very materially affected, for if it is delayed too long it will walk out of the cold store, and if the quantity is sufficient it will impair our health. If the cost is sufficient God help us all.
We will dump it in one of your lodges.