asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce (a) the annual decrease in flour consumption from 1945 to 1962, and (b) the steps taken to bring the output of the industry into line with national consumption by (1) reduction of quotas and (2) closing of mills, giving the name of each mill closed, its quota, and the year it was closed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flour Consumption.
36.
Statistics of flour consumption over the period mentioned are not readily available. However, the annual production of flour fell from 3,206,298 sacks in 1945 to 2,067,400 sacks in 1962. This represents an overall reduction of 35.5 per cent or an average annual reduction of 2.1 per cent.
The annual quotas of flour millers represent the quantity of wheat authorised to be milled. The quantity of flour produced from the milling of a given quantity of wheat depends on the extraction rate. In view of the changes in the extraction rate during the period, the total quantity of wheat fell by 22½ per cent.
The quotas of the flour millers have decreased by approximately 22½ per cent in the period since 1945. This resulted from the fact that all quotas were reduced by Ministerial Orders by 12½ per cent in 1953-54 and by 5 per cent in 1957-58, and in addition the proprietors of four mills decided to cease milling and surrendered their licences so that their quotas were extinguished. Clondulane Mills, Fermoy, with a quota of 44,800 barrels closed in 1953; Quarterstown Mills, Mallow, with a quota of 78,400 barrels in 1957; Comerfords Mill, Rathdrum, with a quota of 31,325 barrels in 1957 and Avoncore Mills, Midleton, with a quota of 96,481 barrels in 1960.
I understand that some six further mills propose to close but I have not as yet received any formal application from the proprietors of these mills for the revocation of their licences.
Does the Minister realise that approximately half the milling industry in this country is in the hands of one group? Does he consider that is a useful thing for the nation?
That is a separate matter altogether.
Does the Minister recall that when these closures were taking place, he said it would be his concern that as many of these mills as possible would be employed for compound milling or for some other purpose? Could he conveniently say how many of these mills have been kept in operation as provender mills?
I am afraid I could not say that at this stage.