§ Mr. KENNEDYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has received a statement from the Killeshandra Co-operative Creamery stating that this concern has had to close several of its auxiliaries: is he aware that the result of Orders made is to reduce butter production and also diminish milk supply; if he has seen the drop in price of springers, especially in the West of Ireland; and if steps will be at once taken to get advice, to be acted upon, from the people in Ireland who really understand this question and are anxious to increase the butter and milk supply?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The maximum prices for butter and milk were fixed by the Food Controller in order to ensure the fullest possible supply of fresh milk. The Food Controller is aware that a proportion of the milk which, no doubt, formerly found its way to the Killeshandra Creameries has been diverted to Dublin, where it has been distributed among the poorer classes of the community. He has no information as to the drop in price of springers, though this would appear to be the usual seasonal variation in price, due to the fact that summer milk is less valuable than winter milk. The Food Controller is advised on matters relating to Ireland by the Irish Food Control Committee and its Advisory 1565W Sub-Committees, several members of which have expert knowledge of the milk and butter trades, and of the conditions prevailing all over Ireland.