asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is now prepared to make full requirements of tea, sugar and butter available to consumers at subsidised prices.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tea, Sugar and Butter Ration.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state if there is a likelihood of the present ration of tea and sugar being increased in the near future.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together.
There is no likelihood of an increase in the near future in the present rations of tea, sugar and butter.
Am I to understand that the Minister approves of the two-price system which he and his colleagues denounced in the past? My question does not refer to the amount of the rations; it refers to the price to be charged for tea, sugar and butter. Am I to understand that, if anything, prices will go up?
In the case of butter, of course, there is, as a result of the policy pursued in the past year, not enough butter to maintain the present ration without importing some. In the case of tea and sugar, for reasons which I mentioned in the debate on the Finance Bill, it is not proposed at present to alter the system in force.
Am I to take it that this increase in the price of milk will mean an increase in the production of butter?
We hope so.
Am I further to take it that if that increase in butter production does not materialise you will continue to import butter as your predecessor did?
There is nothing about the import of butter in the question.
The Minister referred in the course of a supplementary reply to the need for import.
That is a separate question.