 |
 |
|
Dáil Éireann - Volume 268 - 06 November, 1973 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Size of Loaf. Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald 35. Mr. G. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will consider restoring the loaf of bread to its former size. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: The recent introduction of metric weights for bread is in line with established policy for the gradual introduction of the metric system in this country, the target date for the completion of the change over to metric being 1975. The Deputy will appreciate that in these circumstances a reversion to the former imperial weights would be a retrograde step. Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald: May I take it from the Minister's reply that we are to continue to have the smaller loaf? Regardless of what way the Minister got around the issue by quoting metric and imperial measures, the fact is that the loaf has been reduced in size. Can we take it that there will be no increase in the price of the loaf, either in sterling or in any other currency, during the next three or four months? Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: Price increases are a matter for the National Prices Commission. Should the bakeries apply to the commission for an increase, their application would be examined and a decision as to whether an increase was granted would be based on whether there was justification for an increase. Mr. J. Lynch Mr. J. Lynch Mr. J. Lynch: I thought that Governments and not commissions are responsible primarily for price increases. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry 1245 [1245] Mr. P. Barry: The National Prices Commission are the people to whom price increase applications are referred. Mr. J. Lynch Mr. J. Lynch Mr. J. Lynch: I know that. Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass Mr. Lemass: Have the bakers applied to the NPC for an increase in prices? Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: Not that I am aware of. Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald: I take it that the answer to my supplementary was in the negative. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: I do not think I heard the Deputy's supplementary. Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald: I asked whether the Minister can give a guarantee that no price increases would be granted during the next three or four months. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: I could not give any such guarantee. Mr. Dowling Mr. Dowling Mr. Dowling: The price is being increased. Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry Mr. P. Barry: No. Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald Mr. G. Fitzgerald: Would the Minister not agree that the small loaf, which is used by many elderly people, by those who are living alone and by those who are in receipt of social welfare assistance, consists of crust and little bread rather than bread and little crust. Mr. Dowling Mr. Dowling Mr. Dowling: Has the Minister been instructed—— An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: I am calling Question No. 36. Mr. Dowling Mr. Dowling Mr. Dowling: I do not wish to have to raise this matter on the Adjournment. An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle: Deputy Dowling must obey the Chair. Question No. 36. Mr. Dowling Mr. Dowling Mr. Dowling: A Cheann Comhairle—— An Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy 1246 An Ceann Comhairle: If the Deputy is intimating that he wishes to raise the matter on the Adjournment [1246] the Chair will communicate with him. Mr. J. Lynch Mr. J. Lynch Mr. J. Lynch: He has said that he does not wish to do so. Mr. Dowling Mr. Dowling Mr. Dowling: Has the Minister been instructed to ensure that there are no price increases until after the by-election? I understand that he has been so instructed. Mr. L. Belton Mr. L. Belton Mr. L. Belton: We do not engage in Fianna Fáil tactics. Dáil Éireann 268 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Size of Loaf. Questions 19731106
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
