asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will announce to the House the cause which has brought about the increase in the price of bread, and if, with a view to an early reduction, he will cause an early inquiry to be made into the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Price of Bread.
The cause which has brought about an increase in the price of bread is the increase in the price of flour. The increases in the price of flour during the last 12 months are due to the increases in the world price of wheat. During the 12 months from the beginning of April, 1936, to the end of March, 1937, the price of Manitoba wheat per 496 lbs. rose from 33/- to 60/-. In the same period the price of Australian wheat rose from 32/- to 52/-, and other wheats advanced correspondingly. The price of flour and the price of bread are constantly under review in my Department.
Will the Minister set up the inquiry I suggest to give the public a further assurance that unnecessary rises will not take place, and will he extend that inquiry into the general increase in the cost of living which has become excessive within the past few months in the City of Dublin?
The causes of the increases in the price of bread are known. These increases are due entirely to the rise in the world price of wheat. There is no necessity to set up an inquiry to ascertain that fact, nor is there any action which this Government could take which would reduce the world price of wheat.
Is the Minister not aware that his own Commission on Prices reported to him that, last year, the millers in this country were making excess profits to the extent of £30,000 in one quarter alone? Is the Minister not further aware that the price of bread in Dublin is substantially higher than the price of bread in London, and will he say whether he has done anything to relieve the consumer of bread and flour of the burden placed on him by the excessive profits made by the millers here which were pointed out to him by his own commission?
The period in respect of which the Prices Commission reported was the first quarter of 1934. The increases in the price of bread which have taken place during the past 12 months were due to the increase in the world price of wheat.
But the excessive profits made by the millers in 1934 have been continued every year since, without any intervention by the Minister for Industry and Commerce.
That statement is not correct.
Will the Minister say what he has done to stop these excessive profits? The Minister is aware that the system at present continues absolutely unchanged.
Can the Minister explain why it is that the loaf in Dublin is dearer than the loaf in London?
Because bakers' flour is 57/- a sack in Dublin and 47/- in London.
The standard price of bakers' flour, as fixed by order, is 53/-.
The price at present being charged by the bakers of this country is 57/- a sack, and I paid it yesterday, and the price being paid in London is 47/-. They are pulling the wool over the Minister's eyes, but that does not save the people's pockets.
If the Deputy paid 57/- he paid too much. The price I fixed by order is 53/-.
I paid the price fixed by the millers' ring in this country, with the full knowledge of the Minister, and that was 57/-.
53/-. I made the order last week and I ought to know.