§ Mr. MOONEYasked whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the export 573 of Irish butter to Great Britain has steadily diminished for several years; will he say whether Irish butter occupies now the high position in the English market which it occupied for several years; if he can state the cause of the decline in quantity and quality; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the remainder of the question I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply given to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for East Limerick on the 14th instant.
§ Mr. MOONEYThe answer to which the right hon. Gentleman refers me does not deal with my question. Is it not within the right hon. Gentleman's knowledge that the facts set out in my question are correct. Surely as the Vice-President of the Department he must have formed some opinion as to its cause.
§ Mr. RUSSELLI have already said that the figures in the first part of the question are accurate. The figures for the export of butter from Ireland for 1900 are 4,283,437 lbs., and in 1910 they had fallen to 3,584,810 lbs. Whilst the exports were diminishing at a rather alarming rate and continuously diminishing every year, the tendency of the imports has been upwards, and they have increased by 120,670 lbs. in five years.
§ Mr. JOHN REDMONDCan the right hon. Gentleman, from his experience in the Department, give any reason for this diminution in the exports?
§ Mr. RUSSELLYes, there are plain reasons. The first is that we have no system in Ireland of winter dairy farming and trade is practically shut down four months in the year. In the second place there is a still more staple reason. Unfortunately, the creamery system has departed from the original conception of its founders, and now we have imported butter which is blended in the creameries of Ireland and sent over to the English markets, and the English markets will not have it. I hope, by the permission of the Prime Minister, to introduce a short Bill next Session on this subject which will not be contentious and which has now received the support of the butter industry.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEWill the right hon. Gentleman say if the importation of margarine is on the increase both in Ireland 574 and in England, and how much of it is being sold as Irish butter?
§ Mr. RUSSELLI am glad to say that the figures for margarine are pretty steady, and show no advance.
§ Sir W. BYLESIs there any impropriety in eating margarine?