asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, in order to help reduce the cost of bread and to secure that the flour millers will sell their flour within an economic radius of distribution, he will re-introduce the rationalisation of deliveries scheme effected in 1942.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rationalisation of Bread Deliveries.
42.
The rationalisation scheme referred to by the Deputy was introduced to meet the exceptional circumstances of the Emergency. The imposition of such restrictions on the industry could not be justified in normal times. It would in any case tend to prevent the competition which I consider desirable.
Is the Minister aware that in many villages there are as many as 12 bakery vans delivering bread to the shops? In view of the fact that there is no competition where the price of the commodity is concerned, will he not agree that the huge expenditure involved——
The Deputy is making an argument. Most of the Supplementary Questions advanced here today have simply been arguments and not questions.
What was every other Deputy doing who put forward a Supplementary Question? May I suggest to the Minister——
The Deputy should ask a question, not make suggestions.
Is it not a fact that the cost of delivery considerably enhances the price of the loaf because of the system operated?
I do not believe that is the case.
Is it not a fact that the rationalisation of delivery scheme was introduced to try to reduce the price of bread or, at least, maintain it at a reasonable price?
That scheme was introduced when the subsidy was fixed on a percentage of the capital investment of the flour millers plus a certain fixed sum for depreciation. In April, 1953, that system was changed and a fixed sum per sack was paid by way of subsidy. From then on, the necessity for rationalisation of deliveries ceased to exist, but the fact was that rationalisation of deliveries continued, and apparently continues today.