asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the value of (a) honey, and (b) artificial honey imported in the years 1937, 1938 and 1939, and for such period of 1940 for which the figures are available and the estimated value of the production of honey in Eire for the same periods.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Value of Home-Produced and Imported Honey.
Separate provision is not made in the Official Import List for the segregation of imports of natural and artificial honey. The values of honey (including artificial honey) imported in the years 1937 and 1938 and in the first eight months of 1939 were:—
|
Year 1937 |
£1,720 |
|
Year 1938 |
942 |
|
January to August, 1939 |
726 |
The Deputy will have observed that for September, 1939, and subsequent months a summary only of imports and exports has been issued. On grounds of public policy it has been decided not to publish for the present in any form more details than are given in this summary.
The only information available in regard to the home production is that for the quantities returned for certain years by the Gárda Síochána enumerators of the Agricultural Statistics as produced on farms. No such returns were obtained for the year 1937 or 1940, but the estimated value of honey so produced for the year June, 1937-May, 1938, was £5,900, and for the year June, 1938-May, 1939, was £5,800.
Is it possible to get statistics in respect of the period subsequent to August, 1939, for inspection purposes, even though they may not be prepared for publication?
I will consider that and let the Deputy know. I could not, commit myself at this stage.