asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state (a) when the first meeting of the Milk Prices Costings Commission will be convened; (b) how soon afterwards the commission will be in a position to advise him of their findings as to the cost of producing a gallon of milk; (c) whether the report of the commission is expected to be available to him this year, and (d) if he will now consider granting a substantial increase in the price of milk pending the findings of the costing commission.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Prices Costings Commission.
(a) Arrangements are being made to hold the first meeting of the Milk Production Costings Committee within the next two weeks. As regards (b) and (c), I am not in a position to say when the committee will be in a position to furnish its findings but as it is necessary that the investigation should be carried out over a full period of 12 months it may be taken that the findings will not be available for at least 12 months. (d) The Government's decision on milk prices as from 1st May, 1952, was announced on Friday last, the 25th April.