asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that dairy farmers are subjected to considerable loss and hardship through not having a sufficient supply of paraffin oil during winter and spring months when cows are calving and when those cows must be attended to and milked before daybreak, and that it is practically impossible to produce clean milk under those conditions; and whether, in view of the importance of a clean milk supply to the community, he will state if any inter-Departmental conference has been held on this matter with a view to an improvement of this position; and, if not, whether one is likely to be.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Paraffin Oil Supply.
I am aware that dairy farmers, in common with the remainder of the agricultural community, are incommoded by the limited lighting facilities which are at present available to them. It is, however, not possible at the moment to grant any general increase in the allocations of kerosene for lighting purposes, having regard to the exceptionally heavy and growing demand for the oil from farmers engaged in tillage and in harvesting and threshing operations. Limited allowances of kerosene to supplement the domestic ration have already been made available to registered dairy farmers who produce milk for human consumption in liquid form, and who have at least six cows milking during the winter months, but I regret that this represents the maximum provision which can be made for dairy farmers in present circumstances.