§ 35. General M'CALMONTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that while there is an ample supply of butter in many Irish towns it is quite unprocurable in parts of the country; and whether the Ministry will take steps to ensure an equitable distribution of the available supply?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe Food Controller is not aware that there is an ample supply of butter in many Irish towns. On the contrary, before the export of butter from Ireland was prohibited by the issue of the Butter (Ireland) Order, 1918, reports were received by the Irish Food Control Committee from all over the country as to the great scarcity of butter. The shortage is most acute in the large towns, such as Belfast and Dublin. The Irish Food Control Committee have received no complaints with regard to the inequitable distribution of butter, but special arrangements have already been made to supply Belfast and Dublin with margarine, in order, as far as possible, to increase the available supply of fats.
§ Mr. FIELDIs the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that there is hardly any butter in Ireland in either town or country?
§ Mr. CLYNESWe have information of a serious scarcity, but I do not think it is correct to say there is hardly any in either town or country.
§ Mr. LOUGHAs the hon. Gentleman says that there is a scarcity, would it not be well for the Food Controller to fix a remunerative price for butter?
§ Mr. CLYNESScarcity does not depend upon price at all. Information was given yesterday in answer to a question explaining one cause of scarcity—that is, the restriction or limitation or reduction of imports of butter to Ireland from other countries.