asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that foreign and home milled flour was on offer to master bakers at very low prices during the past four months; that, in fact, foreign millers were offering at 35s. and under that figure per sack of 280 lbs. up to March, 1929; that these prices have not been fully reflected in the cost of the 4-lb. loaf to the consumer, and that the quotation in Cork at the moment is 11d. delivered; and whether he will now take the necessary steps to ensure that the millers' prices are reflected in the price of bread to the consumer.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REDUCTIONS IN FLOUR PRICES NOT REFLECTED IN BREAD PRICES.
The only official information available to me as to the prices for imported flour is that published in "Milling," the organ of the milling industry, and for home-milled flour the prices quoted by the Irish Flour Millers' Association. I have no information as to private offers of flour.
My Department recently sent a communication to the Cork Master Bakers' Association relative to the price of bread in Cork, and a reply has been received that it will be considered at the next meeting of the committee. Meanwhile it is stated that the prices of bread in Cork City are:—
|
Plain and Fancy, delivered |
10d. per pair (4lb. loaf). |
|
,,,,,,for cash at counter (Fresh) |
9½d. ,,,, |
|
,,,,,,,,,,,,(Cold) |
9d.,,,, |
|
Household or popular loaf |
9d.,,,, delivered |
|
,,,,,,,, |
8d.,,,, at counter for cash. |
These prices do not appear consistent with the views expressed by the Tribunal on Prices, and I am awaiting whatever explanations of the matter the Cork Master Bakers' Association has to offer.