Colonel NEWMANasked the Minister of Food why, if butter is now decontrolled, control is still maintained in Ireland and the export of butter to this country forbidden except by licence; and if he was consulted by the Irish Food Control Committee before the decision was arrived at.
§ Mr. McCURDYThe decision to maintain the control of butter supplies in Ireland during the remainder of the winter was arrived at after consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland, which is responsible for the administration of food control in that country. There is actually no surplus of butter in Ireland at the present time, and the removal of control including the restrictions on export would have the effect of depleting supplies' required for Irish consumption during the period of winter scarcity.