asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the duties now being performed by the Pigs and Bacon Commission, the present composition of that body, the staff employed, the present cost of its maintenance, and the source from which the cost is met; further; if he will state what his present intention is in regard to it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pigs and Bacon Commission.
The principal duties of the Pigs and Bacon Commission are now as follows:—
(1) Administration of various emergency powers Orders designed to suppress the illegal curing of bacon; (2) registration of pork dealers and of manufacturers of pork by-products; (3) enforcing of minimum prices for pigs; (4) collection and administration of the General, Stabilisation and Insurance Funds established under the Pigs and Bacon (Amendment) Act, 1939; (5) operation of schemes for the improvement of the quality of pigs for the manufacture of bacon.
The commission consists of a chairman and two ordinary members both of whom are civil servants.
The staff employed consists of 37 persons. The cost of maintenance of the commission for the year ended 31st December, 1948, as set out in the audited statement of accounts as presented to both Houses of the Oireachtas was £19,112 5s. 3d.
This cost is met by levies fixed periodically by the commission on carcases used for the production of bacon by licensed curers.
As regards the future of the commission I am not at present in a position to make any statement.
Would the Parliamentary Secretary consider asking this commission to examine into and report on the cause, or causes, of the increase in the price of bacon to the consumers while, at the same time, the price to the producer of pork has fallen?
I am not accepting the Deputy's suggestion that prices have increased. The question of price control is kept under constant review by the Prices Section of the Department of Industry and Commerce.
The consuming public will be interested to hear that statement from the Parliamentary Secretary.
They have the bacon now. They did not have it when the Deputy was in office.