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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 4 Jun 1941

Vol. 83 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maximum Price for White Flour.

asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state whether he has fixed a maximum price for white flour sold by retail and the price so fixed.

As the Deputy has already been informed, a standard price has been fixed by order for all flour produced in the country. The manufacture of white flour is, however, prohibited.

If the Deputy's question relates to flour which may be imported from outside, the reply is that I have not and do not propose to fix a maximum retail price for such flour. My Department will, however, investigate complaints received regarding prices charged by retailers. To date, investigations which have been completed have disclosed no undue profit to retailers.

Does the Minister contend that the price at which white flour is being sold does not disclose unreasonable profiteering on the part of somebody? The flour is bought outside this country at a very low price, and is sold here at from £6 10s. to £7 10s. per sack of 240 lbs. On what ground does the Minister contend there is no profiteering?

I do not know what motive the Deputy had in raising this question. As he has raised it, I propose to deal with it. White flour imported here is coming at present solely from Northern Ireland. Those who sell, those who buy, and those who import that flour are breaking the law that obtains in that area. I do not know what cash value would be placed on the risk they take, but it seems clear that the fixing of a price which would prevent any profit accruing to the parties would merely prevent flour being imported. The State has taken action which secures for every citizen a supply of flour at a fixed price. If, as a result of the efforts of individuals, the supply of flour is increased, nobody suffers from that. White flour must, in our circumstances, be regarded as a luxury, and the fact that white flour is imported for sale here at a price higher than that fixed for home-produced flour is doing nobody any harm.

It is enabling some people to get rich very quickly, and the Minister is doing nothing to stop it.

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