asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether an Order has been issued prohibiting the carrying on of milling at Mr. Patrick Mathew's mill, situated at Main Street, Collon, County Louth, and if he will say (a) for what reason, and (b) for what purpose, this Order has been issued; and whether, if it is alleged that the closing of this mill will conserve the food supply of the country, he will state in what way it is expected to do so, and upon what facts any such expectation is based.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Closing of County Louth Mill.
An Order was issued to Mr. Patrick Mathew on the 19th June, 1942, directing that milling should not be carried on at his mill situated at Main Street, Collon, County Louth. The reason for and purpose of the Order is to conserve supplies of wheat essential to the life of the community. To conserve such supplies, it is necessary that the milling of wheat shall be under the control and direction of the Government. If unauthorised mills are allowed to operate, there can be no record of, or check upon, their activities and I am satisfied from experience that, without such control, there would be a grave danger of abuses. In the case of Mr. Mathew's mill, it is not intended that the Closing Order will be permanent and the position will be reviewed at an early date.