asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the Government propose to continue the system introduced by the previous Government whereby the price of rationed commodities such as tea, sugar and butter is subsidised to the extent of the ration and quantities above the ration are sold at or above the economic price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rationed Commodities and Prices.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is his intention to retain the dual pricing system for tea, butter and sugar.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is his intention to continue the present rationing of tea, butter and sugar.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in view of his repeated assertion that the rationing of flour and bread could be abolished, he now contemplates abolishing it, thereby obviating much trouble for the retail trade and making full and adequate supplies available in rural districts.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 21, 22 and 23 together.
In the discussion on the Estimates this year, I indicated that I would welcome an opportunity of getting rid of the controls and restrictions inherent in the maintenance of the rationing and dual pricing system for tea, butter, sugar and flour. Unfortunately, as I pointed out, a considerable increase in the annual bill for subsidies would be involved in the abolition of these controls and I could then see no hope, in view of the budgetary position, of providing the additional sum required.
The financial difficulties to which I referred in July still persist and I regret, therefore, that I can see no immediate prospect of altering the present system.
May we take it, therefore, that the Minister is now reversing his policy in regard to that particular matter?
On the contrary, I still think it is a bad system, but it will be a matter of considerable difficulty to get rid of it. We are stuck with it, unfortunately.
Another election promise gone overboard.
Can we take it that the truculent assertions of Deputy Lemass, when in opposition, in relation to the abolition of bread rationing, are all poppycock?
You have been feeding on dictionaries during the Recess.