asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the high export prices now being paid for cattle and in view of the declared inability of the retail victuallers to carry on business he will subsidise the home consumption of beef from moneys to be raised by the imposition of an export levy on each beast shipped.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cattle Export Levy.
The Deputy in his question suggests that I should subsidise the victualling trade at the expense of the producers of cattle, and I am not prepared to do this.
Other suggestions have been made to me by the victualling trade. One was that price control should be removed. Another was that I should agree to an increase of 4d. per lb. in the price of beef, which would be equivalent to approximately £9 on a beast of 9 cwt.
In existing circumstances I am not prepared to decontrol meat prices, neither am I prepared to agree to any increase on the present maximum prices, which allow an ample margin to meet expenses and provide profits.
Furthermore, I am not satisfied that victuallers need pay the prices which they allege they have to pay to obtain cattle suitable for their trade. On the other hand, I am satisfied that, with the exercise of reasonable care, they should be able to trade on a remunerative basis and the usual seasonal fall in prices now due should further improve their position.
Will the Minister ensure that the policy pursued by the Department will not result in making cheap beef available for British consumers while Irish workers are compelled either to do without or else consume inferior meat?
Is the Minister aware that the usual seasonal fall was due two months ago but did not take place?
I am satisfied from the information at the disposal of my Department that there is an ample margin to provide for reasonable profit. I am satisfied that I am being urged to grant an increase in the price charged to the public for beef at a time when a seasonal fall in prices in the Dublin market is about to take place. Actually, there was a fall in prices yesterday.
Can the Minister state if the scale of prices was readjusted on March 19th on the basis of 88/10 per live cwt. and that the average buying price is 102/7 per cwt?
I am satisfied that, when control was originally introduced, not only a fair margin of profit was allowed to butchers, but a generous margin. I am satisfied again that the increase granted them in March was not only fair but generous. Taking all the factors into consideration, I am satisfied that the prices which are allowed under the present control Order are sufficient to give an ample margin of profit. Three proposals have been put to me by the butchers—(1) that the price of beef should be decontrolled, (2) that I should agree to allow them to increase the price of beef by 4d. per lb. and (3) that I should impose a levy on cattle leaving this country and that the proceeds of that levy should be handed over to the butchers. I should like the House to tell me to which of these proposals I should accede.
Will the Minister explain what is the difference from the point of view of the producer between forcing prices down as he proposes and imposing a levy?
Is the Deputy suggesting that I should impose a levy on cattle produced by the farmers of this country?
The Minister has indicated that it is the Government's policy to force down prices in Ireland and supply cheap meat to Great Britain. What is the difference from the point of view of the consumer between that policy and the one advocated by Deputy Lehane?
The Minister has not indicated at any time that it is the policy of this Government to give cheap beef to Great Britain. As a matter of fact, the policy and practice of the Government is to get a bigger price from Great Britain. We have succeeded in doing that when the gentlemen opposite failed to do it.