asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the export trade in biscuits has declined from 73,913 cwt. in 1940 to 4,636 cwt. in the first four months of 1956, and that there is very considerable unemployment in the trade; and if he is aware of any obstacles which interfere with the efforts of Irish biscuit manufacturers to increase their exports to pre-war levels.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Biscuit Exports.
I am aware that there has been a noticeable decline in the volume of biscuit exports. The total output of biscuits to-day is, however, substantially greater than in 1940, due to a much higher demand in the home market. Recent unemployment in the trade would appear to be due to a decline in the level of the domestic demand. I am not aware of any obstacles of a non-commercial kind which might prevent Irish biscuit manufacturers from increasing their exports.