asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state how many price orders were made in the year 1940 in respect of bacon, and if by any other means the price of bacon was in that year kept under control; if he has seen the statement of the chairman of the Bacon Company of Ireland that in 1940 the aggregate to the credit of their profit and loss accounts, after payment of dividends, showed an increase of £12.000 over the corresponding figures of the previous year; and whether he proposes to take any action in this matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Bacon.
The number of price orders made in respect of bacon in the year 1940 was five. I have not so far deemed it necessary to introduce any other means of controlling the prices of bacon.
I have seen the Press report of the statement made by the chairman of the Bacon Company of Ireland Ltd., but the Deputy is, perhaps, aware that although a dividend of 4 per cent. was paid out of the profits earned in 1939, a dividend of only 2½ per cent. was paid out of the profits arising in 1940.
In any event, I do not intend to take any action in respect of individual firms in connection with the fixing of prices of bacon.