asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that there is a grave shortage of flake oatmeal at the present time; and that, owing to an abnormal advance in the price of oats, the millers are unable to produce and sell flake oatmeal at the present controlled prices; and, if so, if he will revise these prices so as to make a supply of flake oatmeal available for the public at a price that will be economic to the millers, until the new crop of oats comes on the market.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplies of Flake Oatmeal.
I understand that there is a scarcity of oats at present and that oatmeal millers are experiencing a difficulty in obtaining supplies. It is hoped, however, that the further small supplies they may be able to obtain, together with their stocks and the stocks of oatmeal in the hands of traders throughout the country should be sufficient to prevent a shortage of oatmeal until the new crop of oats becomes available in August-September, particularly as consumption of oatmeal is slackest during the months of July and August.
I am aware that the present prices of oats are considerably higher than the price by reference to which the present maximum price of oatmeal was fixed. I feel, however, that taking into account the price of oats earlier in the season when buying was heaviest, many millers could afford to buy and mill oats at the present time and still realise a reasonable profit on the season's trading as a whole. In any event I do not propose to increase the present maximum price of flake oatmeal as I am satisfied that having regard to the quantity of oats available, an increase in the price of flake oatmeal would not be justified.
Is the Minister aware that millers say they have no oats in stock at present from which to make oatmeal? Several millers informed me that the Minister's statement last week that there were ample supplies of oats in the country was not so, and that they had none.
That is not entirely in accordance with the latest figures. The consumption of oatmeal during these three months in recent years averaged about 1,000 tons and the supply available is about 800 tons.
Is the Minister aware that it will be a few months before the new crop will be available?
That is right, but an increase in prices would not solve that problem.
Is the Minister aware that he stated last week that there were abundant supplies of oatmeal, when the fact is that there is not a single grain of pinhead oatmeal to be got from any of the millers? Is the Minister also aware that the months of July and August are commonly known as the hungry months, when most of the other supplies are consumed, and there is also a scarcity of potatoes?