asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that maize is quoted at £25 per ton Bristol and whether he proposes to reduce the price chargeable for maize by Grain Importers Limited from the present level of £32 per ton.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Maize.
Mr. Walsh
As the Deputy is aware the price of maize on the world market fluctuates from day to day. I am aware that early in November a price of approximately £25 per ton c.i.f. was quoted for maize but the price at the end of the month was approximately £27 10s. per ton c.i.f.
As already announced the price chargeable for maize by Messrs. Grain Importers will be reduced as from 1st January next to £29 per ton carriage paid to the purchaser's nearest railway station for six ton lots.
And if the prices should decline will that benefit be passed on to the farmers with greater expeditionthan the recent decline which has brought the price down from £32 to £29 is being passed on? Does the Minister realise that the price of £25 c.i.f. has been quoted for the last six weeks, and does he realise that he does not propose to reduce the price of maize in this country from £32 c.p. until the 1st January?
Mr. Walsh
The prices during the past month varied from £25 5s. to £27 12s. 6d. The price was from £25 5s. to £25 11s. 3d. on the 4th November, from £25 5s. to £26 5s. on the 11th November, from £26 3s. 9d. to £26 5s. 3d. on the 18th November, and from £27 8s. 9d. to £27 12s. 6d. on the 26th November. That is the fluctuation of prices from week to week.
And all the time the price was £32 here and it is still £32 and it is going to stay at £32.
Mr. Walsh
And it is going to be reduced to £29 on the 1st January. What about the £20 per ton that we heard so much about in the past even at the time when it was fluctuating?
Would the Minister when he informs the House that the price fluctuated between £25 and £26 10s. in the past five weeks not tell the House also what the price in Ireland has been and will continue to be?
That is surely another question.
Why does the Minister maintain the price at £32 when the price in Bristol varies from £25 to £26?
Mr. Walsh
Bristol is not Dublin.
Bristol is not Dublin. Is not that a very profound observation?
Question No. 51.