asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware that in claims before the Labour Court it has been alleged that, though costs in general have increased by 30 to 35 per cent. over the last few years, his Department have granted no increase in the amount allowed for the drying, storing and handling of wheat as set out in the Wheat Order; and in connection with the handling, drying and storing of barley that the amount granted was reduced last season by approximately £1 per ton, having regard to the fact that no allowance was made for storage and interest during the first four months of the cereal year; and if he will make a statement on the matter, taking into account the fact that in the case of barley the full £4 was allowed on two previous occasions when costs were considerably lower.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Costs of Handling, Drying and Storing Grain.
8.
I am aware that such contentions have been made but I cannot agree that the margins available to wheat and barley buyers are, on the whole, unreasonable. In the case of wheat, we have many applications on hands from merchants for buyers' licences and these applicants are obviously prepared to do business on existing margins. As regards barley, the margin is not fixed under statute but by arrangement with the trade interests concerned. Having due regard both to the necessity to keep the cost of feeding stuffs at a level which the pig producers can afford and to the interests of those who dry and store barley, I would not feel justified in advocating an increase in the margin.