asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the quantities of creamery butter produced in each week of the butter-producing season up to 15th May in 1951 and in 1952, and whether any of this production went into cold storage in 1951 and in 1952; and, if so, how much.

Weekly statistics of butter production and of movement of butter into cold stores are not collected by my Department. Statistics are, however, collected every half month and these figures for the periods mentioned by the Deputy are given in a statement which I propose, a Chinn Chomhairle, with your permission to circulate with the Official Report.

The following is the statement:—

*These figures are subject to review on receipt of final returns.

NOTE:—The figures relative to cold storage are the actual quantities of butter placed in public cold stores in the periods mentioned. During these periods, however, large quantities of butter were also withdrawn from the cold stores and there was, in fact, a net movement of butter out of cold storage except for the period from 1st to 15th May in both 1951 and 1952.