asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state whether any efforts have been made to exchange barley for wheat with the British or Northern Ireland Governments; whether, in particular, an offer has been made to give a ton of wheat for every ton of barley used in "Guinness" for the export trade; and whether he has any proposals for the purpose of keeping Guinness's Brewery employees in continuous employment by entry into some such arrangement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Exchange of Barley for Wheat.
The circumstances arising out of the non-availability of cereals and cereal manufactures for export are under constant consideration and every possible method of allowing exports of beer to continue—including arrangements of the kind suggested by the Deputy—has been examined by my Department. I regret to say, however, that it has not been found practicable to avoid the suspension of the exports of beer. No offer of the kind referred to in the second part of the question has been received.