asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state if, in view of the many representations made to his Department, he will consider granting an increase in the butter ration to the staff of the Mount Desert Sanatorium, Cork.

The allowance of butter per head to the staff of the Mount Desert Sanatorium is the same as that made to the staffs in similar institutions throughout the country. I regret that the present butter stocks position does not permit of any increase in this allowance.

Would it be possible to get an estimate of the total number of staff employed in the various sanatoria, and if necessary to reduce the general ration to adults in order to give a more adequate allowance of butter to the staffs in sanatoria? I understand that their allowance of butter is only the same as is given to us rather portly gentlemen who really could do with less.

I do not think we would be justified in reducing the general ration in order to give an increased allowance to any particular section.