Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Losses of Flour Millers.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the losses incurred by flour millers as a result of maintaining old prices in the period 28th November, 1966 to 11th March, 1967; and if he will give details as to how this figure was arrived at.
Comment on this
The losses incurred by the flour millers as a result of maintaining previous prices for flour and wheatenmeal in the period from 28th November, 1966 to 11th March, 1967 were £297,395 11s. As the details of the calculation of these losses are in the form of a tabular statement, I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to circulate the statement in the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
LOSSES incurred by the flour millers as a result of maintaining previous prices for flour and wheatenmeal in the period from 28th November, 1966 to 11th March, 1967.
Comment on this
Surely the Minister realises that the millers have already made the announcement that they were not satisfied with the last 2d increase and would seek a further increase of 2d? Can the Minister now tell the House, before the local elections, or is he waiting until after the elections, whether he will sanction that increase?
Comment on this
The Deputy should be well aware that there has been no application for a 2d increase in the loaf. Indeed, they could not say whether there will be an increase, or if there is, what it will be. This would depend on the size of the harvest. If the Deputy can say what that is going to result in, then he is a better man than the millers or myself.
Comment on this
Have they not informed the Minister that they will be looking for a further increase in the autumn?
Comment on this
If the Deputy is really concerned about this, he will be aware of the fact that the Minister for Finance recently got leave to introduce a Supplementary Estimate to recoup the millers.