asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the cause of the decline in wheaten flour production (Economic Series 13) between January and September from 1,843,000 sacks in 1957 to 1,608,000 sacks in 1958, and the production figures therefor for each year for each province.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheaten Flour Production.
5.
The decline in wheaten flour production reflects a decline in the consumption of flour. A decline in flour consumption might arise from a combination of causes, one of which is improved standards of living resulting in the displacement of bread by other foods.
A decline in flour consumption has been recorded in most countries in recent years and the United Nations Wheat Conference which is meeting this month at Geneva has on its agenda the question of the steps which might be taken internationally to deal with this trend.
The figures requested by the Deputy could not be given without disclosing the business of a particular mill. I may say, however, that there was a reduction in the production of flour in all provinces. This reduction was much the same, proportionately, in Ulster, Connaught and Munster but was appreciably less in Leinster.
Does the Minister say that the production was appreciably less or the decline was appreciably less, in Leinster?
The decline in production was appreciably less in Leinster.
The Minister will, no doubt, have available the quotations and the figures from the other countries to which he refers, if I ask him next week?
Well, I am not so sure.
The Minister must have had them when he referred to them now.
I referred to the fact, not the figures.