asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the price of beef and mutton has been considerably increased as a result of the coming into operation of the Slaughter of Cattle and Sheep Act, 1934; whether he is aware that the minimum prices fixed under the Act referred to are not being paid by the butchers to the producers of live stock; and whether in view of the prices at which beef is being supplied by the butchers under the Government's free meat scheme he will order an immediate investigation by the Food Prices Commission into the prices presently charged by butchers to their cash customers.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Beef and Mutton.
My Department has been in communication with the Department of Agriculture in this matter. I am informed that, as might naturally be expected following the imposition of a levy in respect of animals slaughtered and the fixing of a minimum price for fat cattle, the price of beef and mutton has increased as a result of the coming into operation of the Slaughter of Cattle and Sheep Act, 1934; but it is not correct to state that the price has increased considerably.
Complaints have been received by the Minister for Agriculture that in certain cases the minimum prices fixed under the Act are not being paid by butchers to the producers of live stock, but complainants are reluctant to come forward to substantiate such complaints. Producers should be aware that if they receive less than the minimum price prescribed under the Act it is open to them to recover the difference as a debt due by the registered proprietor.
The information before me regarding the prices at which beef is being supplied by butchers to their cash customers would not justify me in referring the question to the Prices Commission.
How many prosecutions, if any, were instituted in the case of butchers who were found not to have paid the minimum price?
None, so far.
That is the way you propose to put the Act into operation?
No.
Is it not part of the difficulty the butchers have in paying for meat they are buying at present that the Government are not paying the butchers for the meat the butchers are supplying under the Act?
Does the Minister believe that butchers who pay 18/- a cwt. are entitled to increase the pre-Slaughter of Cattle and Sheep Act price by 2d. a lb. to cash customers?
No.
Have you made any enquiries as to whether that is being done in Dublin or throughout the country?
The Act provides means by which the producer can recover.
Has the Department any functions under the Act?
Yes.
Why does not the Deputy apply to the Prices Comptroller?