asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the total tonnage of wheat of this year's crop (1) delivered to mills up to 1st November, 1954 and 1st December, 1954, respectively, (2) accepted as millable, (3) accepted for animal feeding, and (4) refused as being unfit for animal feeding.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Statistics.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if, in regard to his statement that only 3 per cent. of the wheat delivered to mills was returned as unmillable, he will state how this figure was arrived at.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to answer Questions Nos. 66 and 67 together.
The total quantity of wheat of the 1954 crop purchased by flour millers up to 1st November and 29th November was 174,765 tons and 311,322 tons, respectively. All the wheat purchased was accepted as millable with the exception of 3,183 tons which were accepted for animal feeding.
The quantity of unmillable wheat purchased by the flour millers for animal feeding represents only 1 per cent., approximately, of their total purchases. Complete records are not available of the quantity of unmillable wheat purchased by persons or firms other than flour millers or of the quantity refused as being unfit for animal feeding, but, in the light of the information available to me, I am satisfied that the total quantity involved does not exceed 3 per cent.
I would like to point out to the Minister——
Is the Deputy asking a question?
——that his statement does not agree in any way on the 3 per cent.
Is the Deputy asking me am I aware that my statement does not agree?
I know very well that the Minister is aware. There is no doubt about that at all.