asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether in view of the wheat slump obtaining over the past twelve months the Minister will request the Master Bakers' Organisation to reduce the price of the four pound loaf to a figure that will bear some relation to the price of flour ex-mill.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - Price of Bread.
According to the calculations made by the Tribunal on Food Prices the price of bread delivered in Dublin should be 8½d. at the current price of flour. Flour prices have been falling consistently and I would expect the master bakers to realise that the price of bread is also ripe for a fall. I am having representations to this effect made to them.
The price of bread in Cork continues to be higher than that in Dublin, although no satisfactory justification for an excess has yet been shown. If an early adjustment of prices in Cork is not made I may have to seek compulsory powers from the Dáil.
Might I remind the Minister that the price of bread in Cork has been reduced?
Even then, it is higher than in Dublin.
Not generally speaking.
Is the Deputy speaking of bread sold across the counter and delivered in Cork County and of different types and is he satisfied that the bread is sold at much the same price as in Dublin?
Questions cannot be asked of Deputy Anthony at question time.
Is the Minister taking steps to ensure that the price of bread will be reduced outside the cities of Cork and Dublin?
I have been asked mainly about the Master Bakers' Organisation. It may have been too narrow a limitation to put upon the question. I had thought, taking it in relation to the question I was asked, that it had reference only to Dublin and Cork by contrast.
Is the Minister aware that in fact the price of the 4lb. loaf in most provincial towns is much higher than in Dublin or Cork?
The answer was directed to what I thought was the intention of the question. Deputy Morrissey is raising another point. I shall get the question of bread in the provinces also considered.