asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the price of household flour in Great Britain and Northern Ireland is 37/- per sack ex mill, including quota payment, while household flour in Saorstát Eireann is 47/- per sack ex mill; whether he is aware that the respective prices for bakers' flour are 40/6 and 52/6 per sack; and, further, whether he can state the causes of these wide discrepancies.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Prices of Flour.
My information as to the prices of household and bakers' flours in Great Britain is gathered from ordinary trade journals and so far as these journals disclose, the prices would seem to be higher than those stated in the Deputy's question. The current list prices of household and bakers' flours respectively in Saorstát Eireann are 46/- and 52/- respectively. It should be noted, however, that the actual selling prices of flour are often substantially below the list prices.
There are a number of factors which would justify a higher price for flour in the Saorstát than in Great Britain but I am not satisfied that present Saorstát prices should not be reduced or that the Saorstát millers are complying with the formula suggested by the Prices Commission as a basis for fixing the price of flour and the whole position is having the close attention of my Department.
Might I remind the Minister that while his Department is giving close attention to this problem an increasing number of persons in this country are finding themselves unable to afford bread? Bread is now selling at 5½d. per 2 lb. loaf. Might I impress upon the Minister that the matters referred to in my question are very urgent? May I further assure him that the figures set out in my question are accurate, and have been secured from persons who are daily selling those commodities in Northern Ireland, Great Britain and Saorstát Eireann?