asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state under what statute he purported to act when fixing the price of bakers flour at 53/- per sack.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Flour.
On the 24th March, 1937, I made an Order under Section 2 (1) of the Bread (Regulation of Prices) Act, 1936, fixing for the purposes of that Act, the price of flour throughout Saorstát Eireann at 53/- per sack.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, is it not calculated to deceive this House to say that he fixed the price of flour, seeing that he has no statutory power whatever for doing so? All he can do is to assume that, on a given date, the price of flour was 53/- for the purpose of the calculation which he is supposed to make prior to fixing by statute the price of bread under the Bread (Regulation of Prices) Act.
I have no power to fix the maximum price of flour, but for the purposes of the Bread (Regulation of Prices) Act I fix the price in relation to which the price of bread is fixed.
The Minister has no power whatever to compel any miller in this country to sell flour at a price fixed by him in connection with the administration of the Bread (Regulation of Prices) Act.
The price fixed by me in connection with the Bread (Regulation of Prices) Act has nothing to do with the price at which flour is sold. It has, however, very direct reference to the price at which bread was sold.
Does the Minister recollect that one week ago he categorically denied the statement he has just now made? He said that he had fixed the price of flour at 53/-, and that if I had paid 57/- I was paying more than the fixed price. The Minister now admits that he could not fix the price of flour, and in fact did not fix the price of flour, as between seller and purchaser in this country.
I fixed the price at that figure which the advisory committee established under the Act said was the actual price being charged.
Quite, but you did not fix the price, and could not.