asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (i) the approximate quantity of refined sugar which will be obtained from the 74,000 tons of Cuban raw sugar which is being imported; (ii) the approximate cost of refining this raw sugar per ton, and (iii) the cost of sugar per ton manufactured from home produced beet.

The quantity of refined sugar which will be obtained from the 74,000 tons of Cuban raw sugar now being imported is approximately 67,000 tons.

The Irish Sugar Company is a commercial concern and in the case of such a concern it is not the practice to disclose particulars of the kind for which the Deputy asks in the second part of his question. The Deputy has already been informed, in reply to a question asked by him on the 1st instant that information regarding the cost of beet sugar produced during the manufacturing season, which closed last month, is not available.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that, in respect of this import of 74,000 tons of sugar, this Government are paying over £1,000,000 more than they are paying our own people to produce it?

That is a separate question.

Is that Government policy?

It is a separate question.

As the Deputy is aware, the price of sugar has recently been increased and it offers farmers who grow beet a remunerative market.

I wish to give notice that I shall raise the subject matter of this question on the Adjournment.

On that point, I desire to raise Questions Nos. 10 and 11 on the Adjournment.