asked the Taoiseach the dates on which the retail price of bread was increased in the years 1961 and 1965; and the amount of the increase in each case.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retail Price of Bread.
1.
The only official data on retail prices available to the Central Statistics Office are those obtained at the Consumer Price Index Inquiries which relate to mid-February, mid-May, mid-August and mid-November each year. A rise of 0.62d. in the average price of the 2 lb. loaf was recorded between November, 1961, and February, 1962. Information regarding the actual dates of any price changes is available to the Office only from statements in the public Press. On 21 November, 1961, it was stated that an increase of ½d. on the 2 lb. loaf had come into effect on the previous day and on 23 April last it was announced that a similar increase would be applied by the bakers from 3 May, 1965. This presumably will be reflected at the mid-May price inquiry.
Perhaps the Parliamentary Secretary would tell us in each case the exact period that intervened between the increase and the date of the respective general elections? However, we will get the date of the application from the Minister for Industry and Commerce in due course.