asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is now in a position to indicate the steps that have been taken, arising out of the Report of the Prices Commission, to prevent profiteering in the price of flour; and what action he proposes taking to implement the recommendations of the Commission in regard to price fixing for this commodity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prevention of Profiteering in Flour.
The position of the Saorstát Flour Milling industry is under constant review in my Department. I am satisfied that the most effective method of securing that unduly high prices will not be charged for flour is by the development of healthy competition between Saorstát mills and such competition is developing. The position of the flour-milling industry is now different to what it was during the period in respect of which the report of the Prices Commission dealt in so far as existing mills are now in a position to meet the full requirements of the country, and new mills for which licences have been promised will, it is anticipated, be in production in a comparatively short time. It has not been considered necessary, therefore, to implement the recommendations of the Prices Commission.