asked the Minister for Agriculture if an urgent and confidential letter was sent to his Department last November by Lieutenant General M.J. Costello, General Manager of the Irish Sugar Company, concerning sugar problems, which stated that it would at the same time be essential for the Government to make it unmistakably clear that it will not permit the export of any sugar unless the replacement cost is paid for it, and that it will in no circumstances permit the export of goods containing sugar unless the maker of the goods has contracted in the normal way for the supply of the required sugar; and what action, if any, was taken by his Department in relation to the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Export of Sugar.
20.
I presume the Deputy is referring to a letter dated 1st November, 1963, extracts from which were, I understand, made available to the Press at a conference held by the General Manager of the Sugar Company on 14th March. At the date of this letter the export of sugar and goods containing sugar was already prohibited save under licence. The export control arrangements in operation since April, 1963, were explained in a reply given to the Deputy by the Minister for Industry and Commerce on 7th April, 1964.