asked the Minister for Defence if he will ascertain and state, having regard to quality, the estimated cost at Dublin retail prices of the food items supplied to soldiers in a Dublin barracks during the week ended 1st November, 1957, in accordance with the Army dietary scales which were given in a reply on 6th November, 1957, and if he will indicate separately (a) the cost per head in respect of each day from 26th October to 1st November, 1957, inclusive; (b) the cost per head per week of the quantity of each food item supplied in respect of the week ended 1st November, 1957; and (c) the estimated corresponding costs at national retail prices.
Written Answers. - Cost of Soldiers' Dietary Scales.
The Minister has no machinery for ascertaining the retail prices of food items. The Deputy is, however, referred to the replies given by the Taoiseach to his questions of the 30th October and 6th November, 1957, regarding retail prices of certain items of food at mid-February, 1957, and mid-August, 1957. Regarding part (b) of the question the information as to the cost of each item supplied would result in disclosure of contract prices which is contrary to settled policy. It is regretted, therefore, that this information cannot be supplied.
The following statement shows the cost per head per day and per week for the period from 26th October to 1st November, 1957, inclusive, of the food items in question.
|
Contract prices |
Dublin and Dún Laoghaire average retail prices |
National average retail prices |
|||||||
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
£ |
s. |
d. |
£ |
s. |
d. |
|
|
26th October, 1957 |
3 |
2¾ |
4 |
6½ |
4 |
8 |
|||
|
27th October, 1957 |
3 |
9 |
4 |
9½ |
4 |
8 |
|||
|
28th October, 1957 |
3 |
11¼ |
4 |
10¾ |
4 |
9 |
|||
|
29th October, 1957 |
3 |
11¼ |
4 |
9¼ |
4 |
8¼ |
|||
|
30th October, 1957 |
3 |
9¼ |
4 |
9 |
4 |
8¼ |
|||
|
31st October, 1957 |
3 |
10 |
4 |
11¼ |
4 |
10½ |
|||
|
1st November, 1957 |
4 |
0½ |
4 |
11 |
4 |
10 |
|||
|
TOTAL FOR WEEK |
£1 |
6 |
6 |
£1 |
13 |
7¼ |
£1 |
13 |
3¼ |
The Dublin and Dún Laoghaire and the National average prices are based on the mid-August figures which it is understood are the latest available.