HC Deb 22 January 1918 vol 101 cc785-6
74. Colonel GRETTON

asked upon what ascertained facts the Ministry decided to prohibit the export of butter from Ireland to Great Britain; and, particularly, if it is considered there is a shortage of butter in Ireland, what is the extent of the estimated shortage and by what means has it been estimated?

Mr. PARKER

It has been necessary, in order to effect economies in transport, to arrange that Ireland should not receive supplies of foreign and colonial butter, but should satisfy her requirements from her own production. At the same time, the output of Irish home made butter, as has been ascertained by means of returns received from creameries, falls short by 30 per cent. of the normal supplies in winter months. An Order prohibiting for the present the export of butter from Ireland has, therefore, been issued by the Food Controller on the advice of the Food Control Committee for Ireland, after consultation with,the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland.

Mr. BILLING

Is the hon. Gentleman mot aware that a considerable amount of butter is being sent from Ireland by parcel post, and are any steps being taken to deal with that?

Mr. PARKER

The answer I have given shown that the Food Controller has prohibited the export of butter from Ireland, and I presume that the point raised by the hon. Member will be dealt with.

Sir J. D. REES

Will this matter be reconsidered, in view of the fact that the shortage in England is so much greater than in Ireland?

General M'CALMONT

Is the hon. Member aware of the serious effect which this Order will have upon the most important butter industry in Ireland? Is he aware that many firms have had to give up their trade, and will not get it back, and is he satisfied that the Irish people can afford to pay the price of this butter?

Mr. PARKER

I presume that the Ministry of Food is acting in consultation with the Irish Food Controller, and is endeavouring to see that the Irish population shall not go short of a necessary article of food simply because the English population are richer than the Irish population.

Mr. ARCHDALE

Would it not be possible to release butter from private dairies in Ireland the owners of whom and their families are in England doing war work, and have been in the habit of getting it over, neither butter nor milk being sold in Ireland from those dairies?

Mr. PARKER

My answer must stand; but I will convey what the hon. Member says to the Ministry of Food.

Mr. MacVEAGH

The answer is quite right.