asked the Minister for Agriculture if in view of the fact that flour milling concerns are guaranteed 6 per cent. on capital invested, he will consider introducing proposals for legislation for the nationalisation of the flour milling industry, and thus save the Exchequer portion of the substantial amounts paid by way of subsidy.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flour Milling Industry.
The Report of the Flour and Bread Inquiry contains several recommendations regarding the flour milling industry and I suggest that the Deputy should await publication of the report. The report is at present in the hands of the printers and it is hoped that it will be ready for publication in four or five weeks' time. Meanwhile I have arranged that roneoed copies will be made available to Deputies in the course of the next week or so.
Could the Minister say whether this report will be the policy of the Government or whether it is a fact that the Government have under consideration legislation for the nationalisation of the flour milling industry?
There will be published with the report a clear indication of what the Government's intentions are in respect of each recommendation made by the committee.
May we take it from the Minister's reply that if the report does recommend the nationalisation of the flour milling industry that that will then become Government policy?
I think the Deputy will agree with me that hypothetical questions of that kind are best not answered in anticipation.
We assume it will.