asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the dates on which in each of the years 1961 and 1965 he first received notice of, or an application for permission for, an intended increase in the price of bread; and the dates on which he indicated he would not raise any objection to each such increase.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Bread.
33.
The Irish Association of Master Bakers by letter dated the 16th November, 1961, gave notice of intention to increase the price of bread by ½d. per 2 lb. loaf on and from 20th November, 1961. This increase and a subsequent increase of ¼d. per 2 lb. loaf which came into effect on and from 15th January, 1962, was investigated by my Department and, as a result, the then Minister replying to a question in Dáil Éireann on 15th February, 1962, said "The investigations which I have made have satisfied me that the recent increases in the price of bread were accounted for by increases in costs, particularly the cost of labour"—Dáil Debates, Volume 193, No. 2, Column 313.
The Irish Association of Master Bakers and the Guild of Irish Bakers were informed by letters dated 22nd April, 1965, that I would not object to an increase of ½d. per 2 lb. loaf. This decision was taken only on completion of a Departmental investigation into bread prices initiated in March, 1964, during the course of which two proposals to increase bread prices—the first on 9th July, 1964, and the second on 6th April, 1965—were received. I understand that the increase in the price of bread became effective on and from 3rd May, 1965.
The 6th of April would have been a good day.
You waited until two days after the election.