asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether an agreement has been concluded by the Government, with the British Ministry of Food, for the purchase by the latter, at a price of 3/- a lb., of all the salmon available for export from this country this season; whether he is aware that the present price of salmon in Dublin is 5/3 a lb.; and whether, in order to protect the consuming public, he will arrange for the control of the price of salmon for home consumption at a figure not greater than the agreed export price.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Salmon.
There is in existence an arrangement whereby the British Ministry of Food purchases all salmon available for export from this country. The present price is 3/- per lb. with a bonus of 5d. per lb. for salmon of special quality. It is estimated that at least 90 per cent. of our exports qualify for the bonus so that in effect the normal export price is 3/5 per lb.
I am aware that present retail prices for salmon in Dublin range up to 5/6 per lb. for best cuts of best quality salmon, but it is also a fact that salmon has been on sale retail in recent weeks for as low as 3/6 per lb. for whole salmon and 4/- per lb. for cuts. I consider that these prices compare reasonably well with the export prices which I have quoted—and which, of course, are wholesale prices for whole salmon —and I do not, therefore, propose to institute control. I might mention for the Deputy's information that the British controlled retail prices are 6/8 per lb. for cuts and 5/4 per lb. for whole salmon.