asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate approximately what is the economic price of milk.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Price of Milk.
Mr. Walsh
It is not possible to give a satisfactory answer to the Deputy'sinquiry, in the absence of precise information as to the cost of production. As the Deputy is aware, an investigation into the cost of production was begun some months ago and is at present in progress.
In view of the fact that the Department themselves cannot indicate what is the economic price for milk, would the Minister, in consultation with the Taoiseach, not now reconsider the position and afford the farming community the right to conciliation and arbitration machinery which they deserve?
Mr. Walsh
That has no bearing on the question which was asked.
That is a separate question.
There was 2d. a lb. put on butter by the last Budget.
In view of the fact that the Government do not know what is the economic price of milk and that there is a great danger that irreparable damage will be done to the dairying industry, will the Minister take steps to see that some reasonable price is paid for the milk that is provided?
Mr. Walsh
The Taoiseach covered that question yesterday evening and I do not propose to go into it now.
Is the Minister aware that Deputy Lehane refused in March, 1950, to vote for an increase in the price of milk?
Is the price of 1/9 a gallon now uneconomic?
Are the Minister and the Taoiseach aware that what has been afforded to every other section of the community is being denied to the farming community and the milk producers?
And will as long as that crowd over there is in power.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the price paid per pint to the (a) milk producer; (b) wholesaler and (c) retailer in Dublin and Cork areas during the different periods of the year.
Mr. Walsh
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, a Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to circulate it in the Official Report.
The statement is as follows:—
(a)(i) Minimum prices payable to milk producers in the Dublin Production District for milk sold to registered wholesalers and retailers in the Dublin Sale District.
|
From 1st May, 1952 to 30th September, 1952 |
From 1st October, 1952 to 31st March, 1953 |
From 1st to 30th April, 1953 |
|
|
per pint |
per pint |
per pint |
|
|
pence |
pence |
pence |
|
|
For milk delivered at the purchaser's registered premises |
2.75 |
4.00 |
3.25 |
|
For milk delivered at railway station nearest purchaser's registered premises |
2.72 |
3.97 |
3.22 |
|
Where milk is delivered at the registered premises of the producer or at a collection place agreed upon with the purchaser, and the distance by public road between the producer's registered premises, or the collection place, and the purchaser's registered premises:— |
|||
|
(a) Does not exceed 10 miles |
2.63 |
3.88 |
3.13 |
|
(b) Exceeds 10 miles but does not exceed 20 miles |
2.59 |
3.84 |
3.09 |
|
(c) Exceeds 20 miles but does not exceed 30 miles |
2.56 |
3.81 |
3.06 |
|
(d) Exceeds 30 miles but does not exceed 40 miles |
2.53 |
3.78 |
3.03 |
|
(e) Exceeds 40 miles |
2.50 |
3.75 |
3.00 |
(a)(ii) Minimum prices payable to milk producers in the Cork Production District for milk sold to registered wholesalers and retailers in the Cork Sale District.
|
Period |
For Milk sold to Registered Wholesalers |
For Milk sold to Registered Retailers |
|
|
If delivery is taken at Producer's Premises |
If delivery is taken elsewhere |
||
|
Per pint |
Per pint |
Per pint |
|
|
pence |
pence |
pence |
|
|
From 1st May to 30th September, 1952 |
2.50 |
2.50 |
2.63 |
|
From 1st October, 1952 to 30th April, 1953 |
3.63 |
3.63 |
3.75 |
(b)Maximum prices payable to wholesalers in the Dublin Sale District for milk (other than Highest Grade) sold to registered retailers in the Dublin Sale District.
|
pence |
|
|
From 1st May to 30th September, 1952 |
3.06 per pint. |
|
From 1st October, 1952 to 31st March, 1953 |
4.25 ,,,, |
|
From 1st to 30th April, 1953 |
3.56 ,,,, |
There are no such prices prescribed in relation to the Cork Sale District.
(c)(i) Maximum retail prices for milk (other than Highest Grade) sold in the Dublin Sale District.
|
Period |
Delivered Bottled |
Delivered Loose |
Loose in Shop |
|
per pint |
per pint |
per pint |
|
|
From 1st May to 30th September, 1952 |
4¾ pence |
4½ pence |
3¾ pence |
|
From 1st October to 8th December, 1952 |
5¾ ,, |
5½ ,, |
5 ,, |
|
From 9th December, 1952 to 31st March, 1953 |
6 ,, |
5½ ,, |
5 ,, |
|
From 1st to 30th April, 1953 |
6 ,, |
5 ,, |
4¾ ,, |
(c)(ii) Maximum retail prices for milk (other than Highest Grade) sold in the Cork Sale District.
|
Periods |
Bottled(per pint) |
Loose(per pint) |
Bottled Pasteurised(per pint) |
Loose Pasteurised(per pint) |
|
d. |
d. |
d. |
d. |
|
|
May-September, 1952 |
4 |
3¾ |
4¼ |
4 |
|
October, 1952-April, 1953 |
5 |
4¾ |
5¼ |
5 |
Note: The fractions of a penny in the prices set out at (a) and (b) arise out of the fact that the relevant prices are prescribed in terms of pence per gallon.