asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the reasons for the increase in the price of flour; and if this increase will result in an increase in the price of baker's bread.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Flour.
30.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, control is not at present being exercised over flour and bread prices. Consequently, I am not in day-to-day touch with these industries and am not in a position to give the reasons for or the effects of various increases in costs.
It has been stated, however, that the rise in the price of flour has been due to the increased use of native wheat following on the improved output from this year's harvest. I do not know if there will be a consequential increase in the price of bread.
Can the Minister say what proportion of the grist at present being used is made up of native wheat?
The Deputy had better ask that question again. I have not got the details.
Is it a fact that the millers can themselves, without getting the Minister's consent, change the quantity of wheat used in the grist and, consequently, change the price of flour, which subsequently has an effect on the price of bread?
The miller is required to accept all millable wheat.
Is the Minister satisfied that these recently announced increases are justified? Surely, he has some responsibility in regard to control, seeing that the millers at least justify the case they make for the increase?
As the Deputy is aware, as a result of the partial failure of the wheat crop last year, it was possible to import wheat at a much cheaper price than the native wheat would have cost. As a result of that, there was a decrease in the price of flour which was passed on to the consumer.
That does not answer my question. Is the Minister personally satisfied that these increases are justified? Otherwise, we are going to have the millers fixing the price without any control.
Will the Minister not consider opening discussions with the millers with a view to drawing their attention to the fact that they are spending considerable sums of money on an advertising campaign urging people to eat more bread—money which could very well be used to reduce the price of flour?
Would the Minister tell the milling industry that the reason people are not eating bread is that they cannot afford to pay for it as it is?
Has the Minister's attention been directed to the fact that in the most recent circular, it is proposed to increase the price of household flour by 7/- a sack and baker's flour by 4/-? Surely, there is some ground for inquiry into the justification for an increase of 7/- a sack in retail flour which is so widely used in rural Ireland, if, on their own showing, they claim to have justification only for an increase of 4/-?
If circumstances warrant making an inquiry, I shall do so.
Does the Minister not consider an increase of 7/- per sack justification for some inquiry, even at this stage?
Would the Minister state on what date the control of bread and flour prices was relinquished?
The Deputy ought to ask another question.
That would be a separate question.
Could the Minister state what year?
That is a separate question.
Has the Minister taken any steps to find out whether the flour milling authorities have implemented any of the recommendations of the flour inquiry in order to bring about a reduction in the price of bread?
This is a free-for-all. Deputies ought to put down questions if they want to get answers.
They will not be answered in any case.
The Minister should have information on this question. The people will not eat what they cannot get. It is about time the Minister took some interest in his Department.
Tóg bog é.
On a point of order, might I direct attention to the fact that Deputy O'Malley has used, in my hearing and in the hearing of other Deputies, language unbecoming to Parliament?
A Deputy
The Deputy has good hearing.
The Chair has heard nothing of these remarks.
It seems that so long as the Chair does not hear it, it does not matter.