§ 44. Mr. FITZPATRICKasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he is aware that previous to the Government taking over the control of the flour mills in Ireland it had been an old-established custom for the millers to allow the working bakers so much per sack on all flour baked; if he is aware that these payments have been stopped by order of the Ministry of Food since May, 1917; and whether, as this Order has reduced the weekly wages of the working bakers, he will consider the question of granting them an equivalent allowance?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. 905 The fixing of a flat price at the null for all flour on 17th September last made it impossible to continue any system of rebates or allowances. The remuneration of the baker is provided for by the difference between the cost price of flour and the selling price of bread. Any question affecting the wages of operative bakers would, therefore, seem to be a matter for adjustment between them and the master bakers by whom their wages are paid.