asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether wheaten flour and/or wheaten meal was imported in 1957; and, if so, if he will state the total amount, cost and purpose of such imports.

Imports of wheaten flour in 1957 amounted to 782 tons approximately valued at £27,424. There were no imports of wheaten meal.

Apart from some biscuit flour brought in as an exceptional matter, under a temporary arrangement, towards the end of the year, this flour was imported by manufacturers of cakes, biscuits, and certain other food products for use exclusively in their export business.

Does the Minister think it advisable to bring in flour when we have a surplus of native wheat at the present time?

I said the flour was imported by certain manufacturers for use exclusively in the production of goods for export. Unless the flour was available at world prices, quite obviously the export business would not result and therefore there would be no gain to Irish wheat producers.