asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that the greater portion of the bread used in Athlone Barracks is made from foreign imported flour, whereas Perry's Belmont (Offaly) Mills, which is only 12 miles from Athlone, has been closed down during the past few weeks owing to trade depression, thus causing 70 local mill workers to be thrown out of employment; whether he is prepared to recommend the military authorities in this and other barracks to insist upon the use of Irish flour in any contract that may be given for supplying bread to the troops and prisoners.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - IRISH MILLED FLOUR.
This question has been passed on to me by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce as one referring to me.
The bread used in Athlone Barracks is baked by the Army. Until recently the flour used was purchased locally. It is now being bought from the Dock Milling Company, and is Dublin-milled flour. The general practice in regard to breadmaking in the Army is to use Irish-milled flour.