asked the Taoiseach if he will state the estimated (a) consumption and (b) imports of wheat and flour in each quarter of the years 1951-52 and 1952-53.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat and Flour Statistics.
It is estimated that the total quantity of wheat used in mills and distilleries was 2,307,000 cwt. in the quarter ended 30th June, 1951; 2,221,000 cwt. in the quarter ended 30th September, 1951; 2,305,000 cwt. in the quarter ended 31st December, 1951, and 1,745,000 cwt. in the two months January and February, 1952, which is the latest date up to which the information is at present available. In each of the same periods consumption of flour and wheatenmeal consumed as such and in the manufacture of bread, flour confectionery, etc., including products for export, has been estimated at 1,811,000 cwt., 1,894,000 cwt., 1,821,000 cwt. and 1,247,000 cwt. respectively.
Imports of wheat, including seed wheat, in each of the quarters ended 30th June, 1951; 30th September, 1951; 31st December, 1951, and 31st March, 1952, were 1,897,170 cwt., 569,690 cwt., 2,304,168 cwt., and 983,232 cwt. respectively. A quantity of 279 cwt. wheaten flour was imported in the quarter ended 31st December, 1951.
In regard to the year 1952-53 quarterly estimates are not available, but apart from the effect of the introduction of a uniform extraction rate of 80 per cent. in July next there is not expected to be much variation in the consumption of wheat and flour as compared with the previous year. For the estimated effect of the change of the extraction rate on the user of wheat in the year 1952-53, I would refer the Deputy to the reply to be given to a similar question to be answered to-day by the acting-Minister for Industry and Commerce.