asked the Minister for Supplies whether he will ensure that the small local mills throughout the country will be allowed to grind such wheat as may be offered to them locally in the coming autumn and winter and that no centralised milling scheme will operate to put the local mills out of business.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat for Local Mills.
The question of the disposal of next season's wheat crop is at present under consideration between the Departments concerned, and it would be premature to attempt to indicate the steps which will be taken for the milling of the grain available. The requirements of small local mills will not, however, be overlooked.
Without detailing the major scheme which circumstances may make expedient, can we have at this stage a guarantee that the smaller mills will not be put out of business?
No.
We cannot have a guarantee?
No.
Does the Minister seriously contemplate the wiping out of the smaller mills in this country that have been in business here serving the community for generations?
I have told the Deputy that I can give him no guarantee.
The Minister tells us that he can give us no guarantee that any action of his will not operate to wipe out the small mills that have been serving the community for generations. Surely he can give me that guarantee?
I have stated that I can give the Deputy no guarantee. If the situation should arise that the total quantity of wheat available will be insufficient to enable bread of all wheaten flour to be made available, then it may be necessary to make arrangements to deal with these smaller commissioned mills.
What does the Minister mean by "commissioned" mills? If such firms as Rank's and the other big combines are going to be catered for in the way that seems to be indicated, surely some steps, albeit, perhaps, uneconomic for the period of this crisis, will be taken to ensure that these smaller mills will not be wiped out just to facilitate the larger combines?
Nothing will be done to facilitate the larger combines, and the Deputy should not say that. Whatever wheat is available will be utilised to serve the needs of the public in the best way possible.
Does the Minister realise that whatever scheme he adumbrates for the best service of the country can be so drafted as to include, for the period of this crisis, the small mills, the elimination of which for one year would mean their permanent destruction?