asked the Minister for Agriculture if he informed a deputation from the General Council of Committees of Agriculture and other farming organisations on 1st February that the Government could not take action to compel millers to buy wheat which could not be converted into reasonable flour, and that, even if the milling industry were to be nationalised, there would have to be standards of wheat; and if he considers that the millers should be compelled to take wheat which has passed all tests and been proved to be millable for manufacture into high quality flour, and if he will take such action in the matter in the interests of wheat growers.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Acceptance of Wheat by Millers.
20.
I have indicated on more occasions than one that wheat for milling must be capable of producing flour and bread of a quality acceptable to the consumer. Negotiations are in progress in regard to the method of determining millability and the standards to be fixed for the 1963 crop.
Surely on more than one occasion the Minister's attention has been directed to the fact that farmers' wheat passed all the tests and was found suitable for milling but yet was refused by the millers? Surely the Minister should have some authority to compel the millers to take wheat suitable for milling?
That has been the practice, as far as I know.
In cases where they have refused to take it, the Minister has not taken any action.
I am not aware of any such cases.
The Minister's Department has been informed of them.
I am aware of allegations.
Surely a number of committees of agriculture have supplied the Department with concrete information and with the results of tests made on samples taken?
All these were allegations.
No, they are not allegations. They are statements of fact. The information was sent to the Minister's Department.
Allegations are always claimed to be statements of fact.