asked the Taoiseach in respect of trade between this country and the People's Republic of China for the past five years the total value of imports and exports; and in respect of a recent period the value of tinned fruit exported to this country by the China National Foodstuffs Export Corporation, Fukien, and the value of Irish agricultural produce exported to China in the same period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade with China.
1.
The total value of imports originating in China (excluding Hong Kong and Formosa) was £65,876 in 1955, £155,528 in 1956, £151,525 in 1957, £264,894 in 1958 and £345,362 in 1959. The total value of exports to that country was £1,059 in 1956, £1,620 in 1957 and £753 in 1958. There were no corresponding exports in 1955 or 1959.
The total value of imports of tinned fruit originating in China (excluding Hong Kong and Formosa) was £2,607 in 1958 and £2,980 in 1959. It is not the practice of the Central Statistics Office to reveal particulars relating to imports from specific trading concerns.
There were no exports of agricultural produce to China (excluding Hong Kong and Formosa) in 1958 or 1959.
Is the Taoiseach aware of the fact that the place of origin of such tinned fruit is carefully concealed before releasing it for sale to unsuspecting Irish consumers?
That seems to be a different question.
It has a certain relevance.