asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state when the last meeting of the milk costings committee was held and if it has agreed on all costing principles necessary for its investigation of costs of production.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Costings.
The last meeting of the Milk Production Costs Committee was held on the 19th November, 1952. As regards the second part of the question, the committee has, so far as I am aware, agreed on the necessary principles.
Can the Minister say whether the costings committee has agreed to include the question of interest on capital among the other charges?
Mr. Walsh
I understand they have agreed on all the principles. I have no function in the matter. They lay down the principles themselves.
While the Minister may have no function, perhaps he will avail of this occasion to comment on the expedition with which this inquiry is being pursued, in the light of the fact that the last meeting took place early in November?
Mr. Walsh
The committee on milk production costs is going ahead. The committee is functioning at the present time.
Is it a fact that the Department of Agriculture was collecting data while the principles of the costings scheme had not been decided on by the committee?
Mr. Walsh
Not at all.