asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he can explain why oatmeal should cost 8/5 per stone in West Donegal while farmers in East Donegal are only receiving 2/11 and 3/- per stone for their oats.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Oatmeal.
On the basis of a 50 per cent. extraction, which may be regarded as the normal rule, 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.
Does the Minister consider the price of 8/6 per stone for oatmeal to be excessive in view of the fact that only 2/10 is paid for the oats themselves?
The information available to me is that the present market price is from 43/- to 45/- a barrel.