asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the price of loaves of bread of comparable size in each of the last three years to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bread Prices.
The information requested by the Deputy is in the form of a tabular statement which, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to have circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
TABULAR STATEMENT
RETAIL prices of bread as fixed by Maximum Prices Orders
Date on which price came into operation |
Weight of bread |
|||
400 gms. |
800 gms. |
1,250 gms. |
1,600 gms. |
|
Unwrapped: |
||||
1st January 1972 (only fixed by Maximum Prices Order from 28th September 1972) |
7p |
13p |
— |
26p |
(1 lb. loaf i.e. 454 gms.) |
(2 lb. loaf i.e. 908 gms.) |
(4 lb. loaf i.e. 1,816 gms.) |
||
3rd September 1973 (Weight of bread converted to metric from this date) |
6p |
11½p |
— |
23p |
16th January 1974 |
6½p |
12½p |
— |
24p |
22nd March 1974 |
7½p |
14p |
21½p |
27p |
27th June 1974 |
8p |
15½p |
23½p |
30p |
18th September 1974 |
9p |
17½p |
26½p |
34p |
2nd November 1974 |
9½p |
18p |
27p |
35p |
6th March 1975 |
11p |
20p |
30p |
39p |
Wrapped (Sliced and Unsliced): |
||||
1st January 1972 (only fixed by Maximum Prices Order from 28th September 1972) |
7½p |
13½p |
— |
27p |
(1 lb. loaf i.e. 454 gms.) |
(2 lb. loaf i.e. 908 gms.) |
(4 lb. loaf i.e. 1,816 gms.) |
||
3rd September 1973 (Weight of bread converted to metric from this date) |
6½p |
12p |
— |
24p |
16th January 1974 |
7p |
13p |
— |
25p |
22nd March 1974 |
8p |
14½p |
22½p |
28p |
27th June 1974 |
8½p |
16p |
24½p |
31p |
18th September 1974 |
9½p |
18p |
27½p |
35p |
2nd November 1974 |
10½p |
19p |
29p |
37p |
6th March 1975 |
12p |
21p |
32p |
41p |
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say whether there is an application before the Department for a further increase in bread prices?
That is a separate question.
I understand the price increase effected on 6th March was concerned with cost increases in relation to wax paper, wages, motor expenses and flour prices. The commission have under investigation at the moment a further application in relation to the improvement of the profit margin of the bakers and I understand a report commissioned by the National Prices Commission in relation to this matter will be available to them towards the end of March and a decision will then be taken on that by the commission. I would not wish to anticipate what the commission may decide.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary ask the Minister to consider the introduction of a subsidy on this essential commodity?
That is a separate matter.
Could the Parliamentary Secretary indicate the number of times a price increase has been granted in the period mentioned in the question?
Eight.
Has the date of the order, 6th March, any bearing on the Galway by-election which was two days afterwards?