asked the Minister for Supplies if he will consider arranging with flour millers for a percentage of flour of 75 per cent. extraction to be supplied for the confectionery and cake trade, as without such flour the confectionery trade will be severely affected; furthermore, if he is aware that the ingredients of such confectionery form staple articles of diet and that the scheme, if availed of, will result in an economy in the use of flour.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Confectionery and Cake Trade.
As the quantity of wheat in the country is scarcely sufficient to cover requirements up to the next harvest even on the basis of a 90 per cent. extraction, arrangements cannot be made for the production of a flour of a lower extraction for the confectionery trade without endangering the food supplies of the people.
In view of the fact that there is a likelihood of a scarcity, even on the basis of a 90 per cent. extraction, would the Minister consider, in respect of the bakers and confectioners of the country, whether we can afford to allow fancy bread and cakes to be made?
That question is being considered, but there are, of course, two points of view. There is the point of view advanced by the confectioners themselves that it represents an economy in flour to use it in the form of confectionery, but it may be necessary at some stage to curtail the flour available for the manufacture of biscuits and confectionery.
Before the Minister puts these people out of business, would be investigate the possibility of swapping with the British Government some other cereals for wheat?
That is a separate question.
I hope the Minister will consider it before he puts the confectioners out of a job.