Dáil Éireann - Volume 77 - 18 October, 1939

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retail Butter Prices.

Mr. Dillon Mr. Dillon

630

Mr. Dillon asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state how the average retail price of creamery butter in Éire is estimated at 1/6½d. per lb. on page 139 of the September, 1939, issue of the Irish Trade Journal in view of the fact that [630] the retail price for creamery batter fixed by order is 1/6 per lb.

Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee

Mr. MacEntee: I am not aware of any order fixing the retail price for creamery butter at 1/6 per lb. The average retail price of creamery butter which appeared on page 139 of the September issue of the Irish Trade Journal and Statistical Bulletin was calculated from 168 quotations furnished by the managers of 118 employment exchanges and branch employment offices for the purposes of the cost of living inquiry. Some quotations related to the prices of lump butter and others to butter packed in cartons, but for the purpose of the cost of living inquiries it is only necessary that the national average prices should correctly indicate the general trend. This average of 1/6½d. per lb. was confirmed from 204 returns received independently from post offices.

Mr. Dillon Mr. Dillon

Mr. Dillon: Is not the retail price of butter controlled by order made by the Minister for Agriculture?

Mr. MacEntee Mr. MacEntee

Mr. MacEntee: No. The order made by the Minister only fixed the minimum wholesale price. Some of these samples, as I have said, were lump butter and some butter packed in cartons.

Dáil Éireann 77 Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. Retail Butter Prices.

Questions

19391018