asked the Taoiseach if he will state the quantity of hams imported in 1956 and in 1957.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Hams.
No hams were imported in 1956 or 1957.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that in the Trade Statistics of Ireland for 1957, page 6, Table 5, it specifically states that hams were imported in 1956 to the value of £920,000 and that, in 1957, hams were imported to the value of £1,241,000, an increase of £321,000 on 1956? Would the Parliamentary Secretary explain the conflict between the statistics and his reply to me now?
The information which appeared in the Trade Statistics in December, 1957, and also in the March issue of the Irish Trade Journal and Statistical Bulletin was incorrect. The word “hams” should have read “hops”.
Might I inquire if a halfpenny postcard addressed to the Central Statistics Office or a telephone call could not have elicited that information?
Further arising from the Parliamentary Secretary's reply, could he ensure that in future if similar misprints or mistakes take place in a very important matter like statistics, they will be remedied immediately, so that the public will have a true picture of the position?
Yes, that will be done.