asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the subsidy on batchbread is paid on the same basis to every baker, or whether, in fact, some bakers receive a subsidy at a higher rate than others; and if so, by what authority this differentiation is made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Subsidy on Batchbread.
A subsidy of ½d. per 4-lb. loaf is paid to all bakers of batchbread who furnish the required certified claims. An additional ¼d. per 4-lb. loaf is payable to bakers of batchbread who became liable for the payment of the bonus awarded in 1946, under Emergency Powers (No. 260) Order, 1943, and for the cost of the granting of an extra week's holidays to their employees provided I am satisfied after examination of representative accounts that the cost involved in these concessions could not reasonably be met by the industry. Further additional payments on account of batchbread subsidy are being made to meet the cost of wages variation orders made by the Labour Court. These additional payments are made only to bakers of batchbread who furnish the required certified claims.
I may add that the whole question of the basis on which the batchbread subsidy is paid is at present under examination in my Department.
Will the Minister say what is the baker to do in respect of whose business an award has been made by the Labour Court increasing his labour costs, who does not produce batchbread? Must he bear the entire cost himself whereas his neighbour who, without regard to quality, is baking batchbread out of flour unsuitable for that purpose, is entitled to a subsidy of ¾d. per 4-lb. loaf?
Under our existing authority a subsidy is payable only to bakers who manufacture batchbread. I recognise, however, that the position has become unsatisfactory and that it is necessary to devise, if possible, a new system of subsidy which will be less difficult of administration.
And which will be related to all bread produced on a weight basis rather than to one particular variety?
That is one of the matters that will have to be considered.