asked the Taoiseach if he will state in respect of the year 1957-58 (a) the total amount spent on imported cereals for human consumption, (b) the total amount of raw material imported for the preparation of breakfast cereals, (c) the total amount of native wheat used in such manufacture, (d) the total quantity of sugar and other additions used, and (e) the country of origin of imported wheat, sugar, and other additions used.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imported Cereals.
4.
As regards (a) of the Deputy's question, there are many cereals and cereal products which may or may not be used for human consumption. It is not in general possible to distinguish the different uses of these products and the total amount spent on imported cereals for human consumption cannot therefore be given. For the 12 months ended 31st October, 1958, it can, however, be stated that the total imports classified as cereals and cereal products [excluding seeds for sowing and feeding stuffs for animals (except unmilled cereals)] were valued at £4,802,464, of which £4,305,357 was in respect of cereals, unmilled (except seeds for sowing), £63,470 in respect of cereals milled, £291,527 in respect of cereal products and £142,110 in respect of cereal starches for use as food. As regards (b), (c), (d) and (e) the furnishing of the available information would disclose particulars of the activities of an individual concern obtained under the Statistics Act, 1926, and this is prohibited by the provisions of the Act.
Would the Taoiseach endeavour to insist that, wherever possible, these people use raw materials produced at home, instead of importing them from abroad, particularly when we have a surplus of wheat?