asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the quantity of Formosan sugar purchased by Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, Teo., the price paid therefor, the landed cost, the manner in which it is proposed to dispose of it, the price to be charged, whether Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann will lose or profit on the transaction and to what amount.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imported Sugar.
The total quantity of Formosan sugar purchased by Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann, Teoranta, was 17,712 tons, of which one-half was resold abroad. The price paid for this sugar was £44 9s. 4d. a ton c. and f.; and the landed cost of the 8,856 tons which have been imported is £45 10s. 3d. a ton. The company will dispose of this sugar in its original state or in a refined state, according to demand. The prices charged for Formosan sugar will be those applying to rationed and unrationed sugar, but a discount will be allowed where the sugar is drawn from the ship by the purchaser. The price for unrationed sugar is £65 6s. 8d. a ton, and the price for rationed sugar is £32 13s. 4d. a ton. The question as to the financial outcome of the sale of the imported sugar cannot be answered until it is known what the total sales of unrationed sugar in the accounting year have been and what proportion of the Formosan sugar it has been necessary to refine.
Will the Minister say where the sugar sold abroad was disposed of and at what price?
It was sold abroad and the Deputy will be glad to know that a profit of £18,000 was made.
Sold to whom?
I think it was the Egyptians.