asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he has received the unanimous resolution of the Cork district milk board recommending an increase in the price of milk to producers for the months January to April, 1951; and, if so, whether he will state (1) the date on which the resolution was received; (2) the date on which the Minister's decision was conveyed to the board, and (3) the nature of the decision.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Milk—Cork.
The answer to the first part of the question is "yes" and to the second part: (1) 22nd December, 1950; (2) 19th January, 1951; (3) that I was not prepared to make any alteration in the prescribed minimum prices of milk payable to producers in the Cork area.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state when he last received a recommendation from the Dublin District Milk Board regarding the price of milk and the nature of the recommendation.
The last formal determination made by the Dublin District Milk Board in accordance with the provisions of Section 42 of the Milk (Regulation of Supply and Price) Act, 1936, was received in my Department on the 18th March, 1950. This determination was to the effect that the following minimum prices should be payable to producers for milk delivered to the premises of registered wholesalers or retailers in the Dublin sale district during the period from the 1st May, 1950, to the 30th April, 1951:—
|
per gall. |
||
|
1st May to 30th September |
1s. |
8d. |
|
1st October to 31st March |
2s. |
6d. |
|
1st to 30th April |
1s. |
11d. |
Would I be correct in stating that the Dublin Milk Board is not empowered to make recommendations except there be a unanimous resolution of the entire board?
Open confession is good for the soul; I do not know.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the general feeling throughout the country that it is impossible to produce milk under existing circumstances at the 1947 price, he will alter his decision in regard to the price of milk in the coming season.
I do not accept the Deputy's premise. I do not intend to recommend any change in the present basis for milk prices to the Government. The Deputy is, of course, aware that the increasing use of creamery milk for conversion into crumb, cheese and other products more remunerative than butter has resulted in a not insignificant increase in the average price received by farmers for creamery milk since 1947.