§ Mr. KENNEDYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether an Order was issued on the 2nd January, or at all, commandeering all edible fats for the purpose of making margarine; is he aware that these fats used to come into Ireland in other forms; and will he say whether an increased supply of margarine is coming into Ireland since 2nd January, 1918, or whether all margarine is being retained in England and Scotland?
§ Mr. CLYNESBy the Oils and Fats (Requisition) Order, dated the 21st December, 1917, the Food Controller took possession of all scheduled oils and fats, edible and non-edible, in the United Kingdom, on the 1st January, 1918, in order equitably to allocate supplies to manufacturers, first priority being given to the manufacture of margarine. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. It has been found necessary, in order to effect economies in transport, to arrange that Ireland shall satisfy her requirements of margarine as 751W far as possible from her own production, and to this end the importation into Ireland of the materials necessary for the making of margarine has not been restricted.
§ Sir G. TOUCHEasked if, in connection with the prohibition of the use of edible oils and fats in the manufacture of soap, involving a reduction in the output of glycerine for propellant explosives, in order that soap-making materials may be used for the manufacture of margarine, the relative importance of the requirements of the nation for margarine and propellant explosives, respectively, has been settled between the Departments concerned?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer is in the affirmative. The output of margarine will not interfere with glycerine requirements.