asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the bacon curers of Saorstát Eireann are paying producers an average price of about 67/- per cwt., dead weight, at the factory for pigs, and are charging the consumer 120/- to 130/- per cwt. for Wiltshire smoked bacon, and whether he will refer this matter to the Prices Commission for investigation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Pigs and Bacon.
I am informed by the Minister for Agriculture that up to the 19th instant the Price Order made by the Pigs Marketing Board provided for a price of 69/- per cwt., dead weight, for pigs of the highest class. In addition, curers were required to pay to the Board the difference between the appointed price and the hypothetical price, namely, 12/- per cwt. On the 14th instant the board made a new order which came into operation on the 19th instant, and under the terms of this order the highest appointed price is 73/- per cwt., and the difference between the hypothetical price and the appointed price is 10/-. The effect of this is that pigs of the highest grade are now costing curers 83/- per cwt., dead weight. I am not in a position to confirm that bacon curers are charging consumers 120/- to 130/- per cwt. for Wiltshire smoked bacon. I have made orders under the Control of Prices Act, 1932, requesting the Prices Commission to investigate whether unreasonably high prices are being charged throughout Saorstát Eireann for bacon.
The Minister is having the matter fully investigated?