asked the Minister for Agriculture if he is aware that it is almost impossible to procure condensed milk in many areas, thereby causing grave hardships to the poorer sections of the people, and if he will state the cause of the scarcity.

I am not aware that the position is as stated by the Deputy. I am satisfied that the Condensed Milk Company are placing on the market reasonable quantities of condensed milk having regard to the difficulty in securing supplies of tinplate and other manufacturing materials.

How is it that the supply has become so scarce during the past three or four months?

The Condensed Milk Company are placing exactly the same amount of condensed milk on the market as last year.

Is the Minister aware that shopkeepers through the country cannot get a tin of condensed milk? Are we exporting our condensed milk?

Some of it, yes.

It is understood that the greater portion is being exported, with the result that the poor cannot get supplies.

Why are we exporting it?

Ask Deputy Keyes.

Will the Minister say why, when condensed milk cannot be bought in various areas through the country and in this city, we continue to export condensed milk?

We are using the very same amount of condensed milk at home as last year, so it is not true to say that it cannot be got. There was a movement here some time ago towards a larger purchase at home of sweetened condensed milk in order to get over the difficulty created by the scarcity of sugar, and that had to be met somehow or other.

Is it not a fact that the last export figures for condensed milk reveal a 25 per cent. increase in export over the preceding year? Will the Minister say whether that has anything to do with the shortage of this commodity?

I do not know what the recent figures may show, but I think the Deputy will find that the total year's export will be in or about the same as last year. It may be higher or lower on a particular date compared with last year, but the yearly export will be about the same.

I am asking if the Minister is aware that the latest figures reveal an increase of approximately 25 per cent.

That may be, but the yearly export will be about the same.

Will the Minister say why, in view of the fact that it is so difficult to get condensed milk in the city and in small towns in rural areas at present, we continue to export that commodity which is in such demand by our people?

We cannot get tinplate for skim milk at home. That is the difficulty.

Is the position then that we have to export this stuff in order to get tinplate?

Yes.

Will the Minister consult the Minister for Supplies with a view to seeing that those people who were getting condensed milk last year will get the same amount of condensed milk this year? Shopkeepers cannot get anything like the same amount they got a year ago.

The Condensed Milk Company are distributing condensed milk for the home market to wholesalers on condition that they will supply retailers as they supplied them last year. If any retailer has a grievance in the matter, I should be glad to get his name.