asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state (1) the reason or reasons for the exclusion of flake meal made up in packets from the application of the order fixing the maximum wholesale prices of flake meal; (2) if he is aware that retailers in Dublin are experiencing great and increasing difficulties in procuring loose (or bulk) flake meal, and that the price to them of meal made up in quarter-stone packets is at the rate of 42/- and 42/6 per cwt., which is about 50 per cent. more than the maximum wholesale price of loose meal; and (3) if he will take steps to set a maximum price for packet meal and ensure that a reasonable quantity of flake meal will be made available for purchase at reasonable prices by housewives who are in the habit of buying it by the pound or half-pound.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply and Price of Flake Meal.
Oatmeal packed by millers or wholesalers in containers or packets containing by weight one stone or less and sold wholesale by such millers or wholesalers and intended for resale by retailers in such containers or packets was not included within the scope of the Emergency Powers (Control of Prices) (No. 96) Order, 1941, owing to the difficulty of fixing a uniform price for all millers and wholesalers due to the variety of packages used and the differences in costs and the fact that normally the sales of oatmeal in such packets represent a very small proportion of the total sales of oatmeal. I am aware that there is a scarcity of oatmeal at present as oats are not yet coming on the market in adequate quantities. The situation is being carefully watched, but I do not consider that the fixing of a maximum price for packeted meal would materially improve the situation.
Is the Minister aware that the scarcity of oatmeal is due, as I understand, to the action of his Department?
I certainly am not aware of that.
I am aware of it. The practice is that merchants in towns whose custom was to sell, perhaps, ten sacks of oats to a mill for grinding into oatmeal have been prevented by the Minister's Department from doing so. I put the position to the Minister for Agriculture in a private conversation I had with him last night and he told me that it was the Minister for Supplies who was responsible. Will the Minister now see that these merchants will be allowed to get oats milled and thereby increase the supply of oatmeal to the consumers?
I had better consider my answer to that question.
I am asking the Minister to see that that is done, because the position is very acute.
I shall consider the matter.