asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the amount by which it is estimated that bread prices will increase as a result of the bread subsidy being reduced from £19.468 million in 1985 to £13 million in 1986.
Written Answers. - Bread Prices Increase.
25.
The Estimates provision of £13 million for bread subsidy for 1986 allows for a reduction of 4p in the rate of subsidy on the standard 800 gram loaf from 6 April 1986 and pro rata on other sizes. The effect on consumer price levels will depend on the extent to which bakers recover the reduction in subsidy by way of price increases. As the Deputy may be aware, the retail market for bread is extremely competitive with wide variations in the prices at which bread is available to consumers.