§ 69. Mr. BYRNEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware of the shortage of milk in Ireland caused by the manufacture of cream; if he will state what quantity has been exported from Ireland within the past five months; if he will state how many gallons of milk it takes to manufacture 1 gallon of cream; and if he is aware that during the summer hundreds of gallons 995 were exported, thus making it difficult for the poor of Ireland to obtain a supply of milk?
§ Sir T. W. RUSSELL (Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland)The Department of Agriculture are aware of the present shortage of milk in various parts of Ireland. The quantity of cream exported from Ireland in each of the five months, May to September, 1917, inclusive, was returned to the Department as follows:
| Cwts | |
| May | 1,907 |
| June | 2,132 |
| July | 1,797 |
| August | 1,101 |
| September | 1,971 |
§ The total for these five months in the year 1917 was, therefore, 8,908 cwts., as compared with 15,740 cwts., 9,578 cwts., and 12,977 cwts. in the corresponding periods of 1916, 1915, and 1914, respectively.
§ From 12 to 15 gallons of milk are required to produce 1 gallon of cream containing 50 per cent. butter fat.
§ Mr. BYRNEIs it not time that the Government made up its mind to prevent the manufacture of 1 gallon of cream, which is undoubtedly a luxury, and deprives deserving poor of 12 gallons of milk?
§ Sir T. W. RUSSELLThe question is occupying the attention of the Government at the present moment.
§ Mr. BYRNEI hope we shall get an answer very shortly, and before there is any more of this manufacture of cream.