asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state, with reference to the rationing of bread and flour: (a) the present weekly consumption; (b) the corresponding figure before the introduction of rationing; (c) the number of persons provided with basic rations only; and (d) the number of persons in each category, provided with supplementary allowances, with particulars of the individual allowance and aggregate amount provided in each category.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bread and Flour Rationing.
The approximate figures desired are as follows:—
(a) Present weekly consumption of flour1 for all purposes, 54,600 sacks (280 lbs.
(b) Corresponding figure before the introduction of rationing, 66,200 sacks (280 lbs.).
(c) Number of persons provided with basic rations only (including persons drawing bread or flour in exchange for food vouchers), 2,891,000.
(d) Number of persons at present provided with supplementary allowances, 62,000.
In each case the supplementary allowance is at the rate of 3 lbs. of bread or 2½ lbs. of wheaten meal or 2½ lbs. of flour per person per week.
Details of the numbers of persons in each category of employment who are in receipt of supplementary allowances could not be given without considerable expenditure of time and labour, which would not appear to be justified at present.