asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the reason why the price of wheat offals was increased by £3 10s. per ton; and whether, when sanctioning the increased price, he had regard to the market price prevailing for bacon pigs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Wheat Offals.
I do not exercise any official control over offal prices and consequently there was no question of giving my sanction for the recent increase in the price of offals.
I want to ask the Minister if it is not a fact that his Department at present and in the past have always determined the price at which mill offals will be sold by millers? I want further to ask him if he consulted his colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, in agreeing to the increase by £3 10s. per ton for mill offals at a time when pigs were at the lowest that they have been for the last dozen years?
I have explained that I do not exercise any official control over offal prices and that my sanction was neither sought nor received for any adjustment in these prices. That matter is outside my control.
Who fixed the price of mill offals?
It is outside my control for this reason, that on the 14th February, 1951, the then Minister for Industry and Commerce revoked the Order under which these prices were controlled and that position has continued since.
Mr. Lemass
Would the Minister say what saving on the cost of flour subsidy will result from the increase in the price of mill offals?
That question is not asked here.
Mr. Lemass
Can the Minister tell me?
No. I am not concerned with this price. I have no function in the matter. The offal is put on the market by millers. Presumably they get whatever they can for it.
Mr. Lemass
Does the Minister mean to tell me that Grain Importers did not consult him before increasing the price? Of course they did.
They did not consult me or anyone else in the matter. This is a matter for the millers who have the offal for sale and presumably get any price they can for it.
Mr. Lemass
And when the price goes up their subsidy is cut down, is not that right?
Thanks to the Deputy, I have now no function in the matter.
Mr. Lemass
It was the Coalition Minister for Industry and Commerce who revoked the control.
Why do you get annoyed when I remind you of what you have done?
Your Department——
Bad staff work over there.