asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will be prepared to consider exempting baby foods, including rusks, from the compulsion to use non-subsidised flour, in view of the hardship an increase in the prices of these commodities will inflict on the working classes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flour Regulations.
I cannot foresee any increase in the ample profit margin available to manufacturers of patent baby foods; I trust the Deputy will not appear to countenance any such proposal, rather that he will be vigilant to inform the Department of Industry and Commerce if any such increase is attempted.
Is the Minister not aware that one of the large manufacturers has reduced the price of all biscuits, except baby rusks?
I understood that the Deputy's query related to an increase in the price of baby foods. If the Deputy will follow the advice I have given him, he will discharge a useful service, but by suggesting to persons who contemplate increasing the price of their products that they will have a champion in this House, he does nothing to help in reducing the cost of these commodities to the public.
Arising out of the Minister's castigation, I am not suggesting that there should be an increase in price. I am asking the Minister if he is aware that his Order in respect of, amongst other things, rusks as a baby food has now resulted in an increase in price, because all other forms of biscuits have been reduced in price except baby rusks. I ask the Minister if he will not consider giving the subsidy again and so prevent an increase in the price of these commodities.
I am not so aware, and perhaps the Deputy is aware that every biscuit now contains 75 per cent. extraction flour, and if it was possible to reduce the price of every other biscuit which contains 75 per cent. extraction flour it appears odd that that particular commodity was not reduced at the same time.
May I inform the Minister that I made inquiries to-day and found that the price of rusks, which was 3/6 per lb., is still 3/6 per lb., while other biscuits were all reduced? Will the Minister inquire into it, and, if he finds what I say is correct, reconsider the matter?
The Deputy's query raises the question as to whether there should be exempted baby foods, including rusks, in view of the hardship which an increase in the price of these commodities will inflict on the working classes. There is no increase in the price of these commodities; there will be no increase in the price of them; and if there is an attempt to increase the price it will not long be successful.