asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has received representations from bakers in regard to the recent further increase in the price of flour, and whether he proposes to take any action in regard to this development.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Flour.
Representations regarding flour prices have been made to me by the master bakers' associations. I am not aware, however, that there has been any increase in flour prices since I replied to the Deputy's question on the subject on the 12th June.
As I informed the Deputy on that occasion, the prices charged by flour millers are not now controlled and flour prices very in different areas. From the information available to me, however, I am satisfied that the general level of flour prices is not unreasonable, having regard to production costs, and I do not propose, therefore, to take any action in the matter.
The Minister will recall that, on the last occasion, I asked him if he was aware that between 3/6 and 4/6 a sack had been added to the price of flour by the millers. He said he was not so aware, that any information he got on the subject would be welcomed and would be thoroughly investigated. He now says he is not aware that any increase in the price of flour has taken place since his last answer. Of course that is true because the increase had taken place before he had given his answer. Now that he has heard that such an increase occurred, am I to take it that he has no observation to make on the increase which involved a rise of a farthing per 2-lb. loaf?
The Deputy talks about an increase in the price of flour. The position is that, following the decontrol of flour and the withdrawal of the subsidy, millers were selling flour on the basis of provisional invoices. Subsequently, prices became more or less regularly determined. There has been no increase in price since then. Any increase the Deputy may have been referring to was the difference between the price ultimately charged by the millers and those quoted provisionally immediately after the Budget. There has been no increase in the price of flour since then.
The Minister has been misinformed. After the Budget the first deliveries of flour took place at a certain price. About ten days later the millers announced that they were going to increase the price. I know because I got the invoice. I bought the flour at one price. Then a further consignment was delivered in respect of which the price had gone up by 4/6 per sack. I know of another baker who purchased his second parcel of flour and in regard to which he was charged an extra 3/6 per sack. Does the Minister consider that to be a development which does not call for review or examination?
I have told the Deputy the position has been watched. I have not got any information which would suggest to me that the price of flour anywhere is unduly high having regard to what is known to be the cost of producing it.
I also bought flour at two different prices since the Budget. Since the Minister fixed the new price for bread, the price of flour has gone up. Does the Minister propose reviewing the price of bread as a result?
That is a separate question.