asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if there will be an increase in the price of bread, pound for pound, next September: and, if so, if this increase will be sufficient to avoid redundancies in the trade.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Bread.
18.
The weight and price adjustments in bread to take effect from 1st September, 1973, concurrently with the removal of value-added tax from food, will provide for a price increase for bakers and a reduction in existing bread prices for consumers on a pound for pound basis. I am satisfied that, for reasonably efficient firms in the bakery trade, the question of redundancies will not arise.
Is the Minister aware that most of the bakeries in Ireland are controlled by one or two firms, and they have stated in the public Press that the increase he is allowing them will bring about redundancies.
The question of the profitability of bakeries was carefully monitored by the National Prices Commission. I am satisfied that their recommendation on prices is appropriate and will not cause redundancies.
We will just have a smaller loaf.