asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that, while oats of good quality has been sold to millers at £15 per ton, the present wholesale price of flake oatmeal is £45 17s. 6d. per ton; and, if so, whether the wholesale price of flake oatmeal is fixed with his authority, and why is it thought necessary to permit a wholesaler to charge for flake oatmeal three times the price paid for oats.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flake Oatmeal Prices.
The wholesale and retail prices of oatmeal are not now controlled. I understand, however, that the wholesale price for six-ton lots charged by the oatmeal millers is appreciably lower than the price of £45 17s. 6d. per ton referred to by the Deputy. On the basis of a 50 per cent. extraction, two tons of oats are necessary for the production of one ton of oatmeal and this fact together with conversion and distribution costs explains the differential which normally exists between the price of oats and the price of oatmeal.
I may say, however, that I am not satisfied that the existing wholesale and retail prices of oatmeal are reasonable, having regard to the price which is paid for oats and I am having further inquiries made in the matter. For the purpose of these inquiries I should be glad if the Deputy would give me particulars of cases where a wholesale price of £45 17s. 6d. a ton is being charged for oatmeal.
In the event of my giving him information as to where such charges have taken place in the Cork area, the Minister, I take it, will look into the matter?