§ 21. Sir Patrick Hannonasked the Minister of Food if he will make a statement on the arrangement completed with the Irish Butter Farm Association for the purchase of Irish non-creamery butter for distribution in Great Britain.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Edith Summerskill)We have no arrangement for the purchase of butter from the Irish Butter Farm Association. Two purchases of non-creamery butter have, however,' been made from the Irish Dairy Butter Trade Limited, Cork. In June, we bought 564 tons and a further purchase of up to 400 tons was made for delivery in October and November. In each case the butter was bought for food manufacturing purposes, not for the ration.
§ Sir P. HannonHas the Parliamentary Secretary yet discovered that the quality of Irish butter is the highest in the world?
§ Dr. SummerskillI do not think the hon. Member has sufficiently understood the reply. There is a great deal of difference between non-creamery butter and creamery butter. This is non-creamery butter, for which there is no recognised standard.
§ Sir P. HannonI repeat my question: is the Parliamentary Secretary aware of the fact, whether it is creamery or non-creamery butter, that it is the highest quality butter in the world?
§ Sir Ronald RossHas any butter for immediate consumption been imported from Eire this year?
§ Dr. SummerskillNo, Sir.