asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a statement on the reduction in the price of butter to wholesalers and traders by 3/- per cwt., indicating what it will cost the taxpayer and why he could not reduce the price of butter to the consumer in like manner.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Butter.
As the margins allowed to wholesale and retail traders were regarded as inadequate, in view of their increased costs, the price of butter to them was reduced by 8d. and 2/4 per cwt. respectively, thus increasing their margins by these amounts.
By the utilisation of moneys available in the Dairy Produce (Price Stabilisation) Fund established under the Dairy Produce (Price Stabilisation) Act, 1935, it was possible to effect the necessary adjustment in traders' margins without increasing the price of butter to the consumer, or imposing any charge on the Exchequer.
Could the Minister indicate if he has any hope of an early reduction in the price of butter to the consumer?
A reduction in the price of butter to the consumer could be effected only by reducing the price of milk to creamery suppliers, and that is not likely in the early future.
Would the Minister be good enough to say, while the funds due for the purpose of these reductions were derived from the Dairy Price Stabilisation Fund, where did theycome from and whence will that fund be recouped hereafter?
That is a separate question.
Surely not. The question asked where did the money come from. The Minister says it came from the Dairy Price Stabilisation Fund, thus sparing the Exchequer and the consumer. I am now asking the Minister, if it spared the Exchequer and the consumer, on whom did it put the blister and on whom will it put the blister hereafter? The Minister did not get £102,000 out of the air.
1/- per gallon.
It is between them it is. Kildare Street is running in upon Merrion Street.