asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if the facility of doorstep deliveries of milk is to be discontinued.
Ceisteann—Questions. Oral Answers. - Doorstep Milk Deliveries.
9.
No proposals have been made to my Department by the distributors in regard to the discontinuance of door-to-door deliveries of milk.
(Dublin Central): Has the Minister any comment to make on a statement issued recently by a director of this company to the effect that if a substantial increase was not allowed it would not be possible to continue the door-to-door delivery service?
The Deputy may be aware that on a prior occasion in 1972 a request was made by the firm in question to the National Prices Commission for permission either to discontinue the door-to-door service or to impose a charge for it. On examination of the cost factor their application was disallowed at that time. I recognise that the service is a useful one but that it costs some money. However, this firm and others in retailing are able, to some extent, to subsidise, this service from the profits accruing from retail sales over the counter.
I know that the NPC are monitoring the whole situation in Dublin of the retail distribution firms. If there is evidence that firms engaged in the door-to-door milk delivery service are at a serious financial loss because of this activity. We shall have to consider what to do in regard to them but no such serious loss emerged when the application to which I have referred was examined in 1972. The service is a very useful one and I would like to see it continue.
Questions Nos. 10 and 11 postponed.
May I point out that my Department had no intimation of the intention of the Deputy to postpone these questions and that we regard this as being unfair?
The Chair regrets that.
That is not unusual practice or at least it was not while we were in office.