§ Mr. LOUGHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that prime fat cattle in the recent Dublin markets have been sold far above the prices fixed by the Food Controller for beef and no doubt sold in England at a profit; whether he is aware that a general practice has existed at Irish markets and fairs since the price of bacon was fixed to pay openly or secretly a bonus or addition to the producer in order to evade the Order, and that butter produced at Irish creameries since the price was fixed has almost uniformly been sold by the firms to which it is consigned on behalf of the creameries at figures substantially exceeding the fixed price; whether the Irish Government have seriously considered the difficulties in which that country is placed by prices being fixed for the three greatest articles of production and export at figures far below the economic cost of production; and, with a view to regularising the position, whether he is prepared either to announce that no prosecutions will take place in Ireland for breach of the Food Controller's Order or that they are no-longer to apply to that country?
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§ Mr. SAMUELSI am informed that there have been numerous cases where fat cattle have been sold in the Dublin markets at prices in excess of those fixed by the Food Controller, and that the fixed prices for pigs have been evaded by means of payment made surreptitiously. Dealings in butter, such as are mentioned in the question, have also been reported. The whole matter has been the subject of discussion between the Irish Food Control Committee and the Ministry of Food, with whom the question of prices rests. The Chief Secretary is advised that such an announcement as is asked for in the last part of the question ought not to be made.