asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the prices of flour and bread have been increased substantially in recent months; whether there is any justification for these increases, which bring the current prices of the commodities mentioned considerably above the competitive prices elsewhere; whether it is a fact that the Prices Commission have reported that the prices charged for flour and bread are excessive, and whether he will indicate the steps which it is proposed to take for regulating prices and profits in the flour-milling and bread-producing industries.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral—Answers. - Increased Price of Bread.
I am aware that there have been increases in the prices of flour and bread during recent months. Increases in the prices of flour are attributable to various causes of which the principal are (a) the fact that millers have now to pay the full guaranteed price for native wheat, (b) increased production of native wheat and (c) increased prices for imported wheat. The Prices Commission have reported that the price of flour was unduly high during the period in 1934 covered by the Commission's inquiry but I have since been given an undertaking on behalf of the Saorstát flour millers that their prices are arranged in accordance with the formula set out in the Commission's report. Whether in fact current prices for flour have been fixed in accordance with this formula is at present the subject of an inquiry by my Department.
The whole question of bread prices is under active consideration both by the Prices Commission and by the Department. It is hoped that in the near future new legislation will be brought before the Dáil to deal generally with bread prices.
Will the proposed legislation deal with the price of flour and the profits made by the flour millers as reported by the Prices Commission?
Is the Minister in a position to tell the House what proportion of the increased price of flour is due to the policy of the Department of Agriculture in subsidising wheat, and what proportion is due to the tariff imposed by the Minister for Finance on imported wheat?
That is a separate question.