asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the price of oneway flour is twice that paid for millable wheat; and, if so, if he will indicate the reason for such a disparity.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Oneway Flour.
10.
I assume that the Deputy's Question refers to the price of wheatenmeal. I am not certain as to the basis on which he calculates the suggested disparity in prices but it would seem that his reference to wheat prices is based on the price paid to farmers for undried wheat. I understand that the average cost of homegrown wheat dried and delivered on the mill floor averages 90/- to 92/6d. per barrel of 280 lbs. The ex-mill price of wheatenmeal in Dublin is approximately 117/- per sack of 280 lbs. On this basis the disparity between the prices of wheat and wheatenmeal does not appear to be unreasonable.
Will the Minister not agree that foreign wheat is purchased at 3/4½ per stone and millable screened wheat at an average price of 3/9 per stone from producers here and that oneway flour, 100 per cent wheat with no extractions of offals, is selling at an average price of 7/9 per stone or in the case of imported wheat, a little more than twice the cost? Would the Minister think that a profit of 3/6 or 3/9 by the different handlers is reasonable? Where does that profit go?
I do not know what the Deputy is referring to. First of all, I should require notice of the question about the imported price of wheat but the profit indicated here between the average cost of homegrown dried wheat and the cost of a similar quantity of wheatenmeal is only roughly 25/-. Taking into account that there is the cost of handling and of distribution and so on, it does not seem to be unreasonable.
For the Minister's information, we were informed in the House earlier today that the cost of a stone of wheat landed in Dublin or Cork is 3/4½. Would the Minister not now agree that the wheat purchased abroad is green and, undoubtedly, millable and that when it arrives in the consumer's basket the average excess over what is paid for it at the quayside is 4/1½ per stone and, in the case of homegrown wheat, almost 4/-?
That is argument, not a question.
Would the Minister not further agree that the average cost of grinding a stone of wheat in any mill in this country is only 4d.? Would he not then agree that there is too wide a margin between the price paid for the wheat either to the foreigner or the Irish farmer and the price the consumer has to pay when the housewife goes into the shop and buys a stone of flour?
Question No. 11.
Give the Minister a chance to answer.
The Deputy is not asking questions.
When you put down a question, you expect a reply and when you ask supplementary questions based on——
The Deputy is not asking supplementary questions. He is making statements. He is advancing argument by means of question. I cannot allow that.
The latter part of the question says: "If so, if he will indicate the reason for such disparity."
I have allowed the supplementary questions because of that.
The Minister is unable to answer it.
I have given the Deputy the disparity as I have worked it out on the figures available to me which I have said I do not regard as unreasonable. I cannot say I am au fait with all the figures the Deputy has mentioned and it is unfair to ask me to comment on them.
I think the Minister should hold an inquiry into the price of wheat and flour.
Question No. 11.