§ 64. Mr. LUNDONasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how many prosecutions have been instituted in Great Britain since the 1st of April, 1915, up to date against traders and others for the fraudulent sale of Irish butter?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELL (Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland)During the period referred to, four prosecutions affecting the Irish butter industry were instituted in Great Britain at the instance of the Department. Convictions were obtained in each case, penalties amounting to a total of upwards of £20 being imposed. The Department are not in a position to supply particulars regarding prosecutions of this nature, in which they were not directly concerned.
§ 65. Mr. LUNDONasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), what was the total quantity of butter exported from Denmark and Ireland, respectively, during the years 1914, 1915, and up to 1st July, 1916, and the average price per cwt. paid for the same?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe total Quantity of butter exported from Denmark during the year 1914 (the latest year for which statistics are available) amounted to 1,875,755 cwts., valued at £11,860,842, or an average price of 126s. 6d. per cwt. The total quantities of butter exported from Ireland during the years 1914 and 1915 were as follows: 855,068 cwts., valued at £4,641,673 (or an average price of 108s. 6d. 2269 per cwt.) in 1914; and 838,089 cwts., valued at £5,751,386 (or an average price of 137s. 3d. per cwt.), in 1915. Figures of the export of butter from Ireland during any part of the year 1916 are not yet available.