asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what quantities of flour and wheat, recently purchased abroad, are on their way to this country, or have recently arrived here; and if he will give an assurance that sufficient flour and wheat from these cargoes will be allocated to Dublin to enable an improvement to be made in the quality of the bread now being baked.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Foreign Flour and Wheat Purchases.
Since the commencement of the cereal year about 34,000 tons of imported wheat have been purchased of which about 19,000 tons have been imported. The balance is expected shortly. About 8,000 tons of flour were purchased and imported. The quantities of wheat and flour imported are distributed on an equitable basis to all areas, including Dublin.
Will the Minister say what class of flour has been imported? Is it strong, bakers', patent or household flour?
Strong flour.
With what categories is it being mixed?
Strong flour mixed with home-milled flour to produce flour equivalent to that ordinarily sold here.
Bakers' flour?
Is there any possibility of an early improvement in the bread? It is being sold in a wet and clammy condition and it is causing considerable illness among children. Can the Minister do anything to improve the quality of the bread in Dublin?
There is very little prospect of any improvement in the position concerning imported wheat which will permit of an improvement in the quality of bread.