Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Oct 1941

Vol. 85 No. 1

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplies of Bread Soda.

asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that there is an acute shortage of bread soda for home baking, and, if so, will he take immediate steps to secure a sufficient quantity of this commodity for the rural community who have to depend almost entirely on home baked bread.

I am aware that there is a shortage but not an acute shortage of bread soda for home baking. Supplies of bread soda are being received regularly but the deliveries are not sufficient in amount to meet full normal requirements. The question of what steps it is necessary to take to conserve available supplies for home baking in the rural areas is under active consideration.

Is the Minister aware that I was offered £100 a ton for bread soda and refused it? Is he aware that there are people in this country who had not got an ounce of bread soda in their houses for the last month? I understand some bread soda has been delivered, but there were men going around this country offering £100 a ton for bread soda.

Is the Minister aware that Deputy Dillon sold five tons of bread soda at £45 a ton?

At the present moment bread soda is not available in many areas in West Cork, particularly Castletownbere, whilst there is too much in other areas. Will the Minister see that this thing will not occur again?

I cannot promise that. There was a period during which the quantity of bread soda that came into this country was only one-fifth of our normal requirements. No action that I could take at that time could increase the distribution of bread soda. Since then, arrangements have been made under which a considerably larger quantity is coming in, but not our full normal requirements. Regular deliveries are now coming in and supplies are being distributed as equitably as possible. It may be necessary at some stage to ration bread soda, although it would be difficult to do so. I cannot guarantee that there will be no scarcity. On the contrary, I think there will be a scarcity.

Why should not the Minister ration bread soda in this way — that bread soda should only be sold with flour — making it obligatory on a person selling one cwt. of flour to supply one lb. of bread soda or smaller quantities of bread soda with smaller quantities of flour? The thing is perfectly simple.

After selling five tons without any flour at all.

It is perfectly simple if the Minister will undertake it.

Barr
Roinn