asked the Taoiseach if he will state (1) the amount of sugar imported during the last financial year; (2) its average cost per ton; (3) the average cost of producing a ton of sugar from Irish beet.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Purchases and Cost of Sugar.
(1) and (2)—In the year ended 31st March, 1950, imports of sugar were as follows: Polarisation exceeding 98º—refined, 8,159 tons, average cost c.i.f. £49 10s. 5d. per ton; polarisation 76º to 98º—refined and unrefined, 9,631 tons, average cost c.i.f. £24 19s. 2d. per ton. (3) It has been ascertained from Comhlucht Siúicre Éireann Teoranta that for the last accounting year the average cost of production of refined Irish sugar bagged in the factories of the company was £46 per ton. This figure includes the cost of material, fuel, labour, etc., as well as of maintenance, repair, bank interest, debenture interest and similar overheads, but not any allocation to profits and reserves.