asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the total tonnage of bread soda imported into Eire during the years ended September 30th, 1939, 1940 and 1941; if any shipments have arrived inside the last two months; and, if so, if he will state the ports of arrival.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imports of Bread Soda.
The imports of bread soda in the year ended August, 1939, were 4,000 tons. The Deputy will have observed that, subsequent to August, 1939, a summary only of the value of imports and exports has been issued. It has been decided not to publish, for the present, more details than are given in this summary.
Can the Minister say now whether the acute shortage of bread soda, which obtained about three months ago, is passing?
It is passing and there is an improvement in the position.
And the supply is quite equal to the demand?
That is quite right.
Is the Minister aware that people were refused supplies of bread soda unless they purchased flour from the same shop?
I am not so aware, and I shall be glad if the Deputy will give me particulars of such cases.
I may assure the Minister that that was the case. The Minister must be aware of the fact that flour is bought from millers and shopkeepers who never previously dealt in bread soda. Now the custom is that a person cannot procure bread soda without buying flour.
I have heard of a lady who refused to sell a spool of thread unless the customer purchased a yard of cloth. I should like the Deputy to send me particulars of any case he has in mind.
Will the Minister not reflect, before he condemns the practice of selling bread soda only to purchasers of flour, that if that is not continued the dangers of hoarding bread soda may be almost impossible to overcome? There is no hardship involved. The primary purpose of bread soda is to make the flour rise.
The shortage of bread soda at one time seemed likely to be acute and we did consider the possibility of relating the sale of it to the sale of flour. But there are special cases which will occur to the Deputy, such as a man who will get his flour milled by a commissioned miller.
But then he can get a licence from the Department of Supplies?