asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the percentage of flour and offals in wheat, and the price per cwt. of flour and offals.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Wheat Flour and Offals.
9.
The extraction rates and selling prices of flour and offals are not at present subjected to statutory control. I understand, however, that ordinary bakers' and household flour is milled at an effective extraction rate of approximately 70 per cent, approximately 30 per cent being extracted as offals. I am not in a position to indicate a standard price for flour since, in the absence of statutory price control, flour prices vary according to quality, packaging and quantities purchased. The official statistics available from the Central Statistics Office indicate that at mid-August, 1962, the national average retail price of flour per quarter stone was 2/1d. Flour purchased in larger quantities or purchased direct from the mills would, of course, be available at a lower price.
I understand that the price of milling offals is at present approximately £23 a ton but that this is subject to discount.
Question No. 10.
Do not be so quick. We were informed earlier by the Parliamentary Secretary that the price per stone for wheat is 3/4½ c.i.f. landed at Dublin, Cork or any other seaport town. The Minister has told us that the statistics indicate that the retail price of flour is 8/4d per stone at 70 per cent extraction and that the price of offal is almost 3/- per stone. Would the Minister say that the price chargeable for a stone of flour is a reasonable one, having regard to the fact that it can be bought from the foreigners at 3/4½ per stone and from the Irish farmers at a price not greater than 3/9d. per stone.
The equitable price of flour does not arise on this Question.
That is the reason I put it down.
The Deputy missed the point. It does not arise on this Question.
Very well. So far as I know, you will be in trouble with it a little further on. What I am asking is——
The Deputy's Question does not relate to the equitable price of flour.