asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will make a statement on the position with regard to the Milk Costings Commission report; whether he has received a copy of the report; and what the Government's intentions are with regard to the dairy farming industry.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Milk Costings Commission Report.
As regards the first two parts of the Deputy's question, I understand that the Technical Director submitted his report to the committee at the end of August last, but the committee have not yet, as required by the Terms of Reference of the Investigation, transmitted the report to me with such comments thereon as they deem desirable. It would appear from statements made by some members of the committee, which have been reported in the public Press, that the committee are still examining the report and that some members of the committee have themselves referred the report to persons in this country and in Britain whom they regard as competent to advise them on matters contained in the report that may call for comment.
The only other information I have to offer on this matter is that on Friday, the 30th November, 1956, the Secretary of my Department received the following letter from the chairman of the committee:—
17, Upper Merrion Street,
30th November, 1956.
Dear Secretary,
As further calculations are necessary before submitting the report on milk costs to the Minister, two clerical officers who are competent to make reliable calculations are required as soon as possible for, say, three or four weeks. If it is found necessary to speed up the work, two more officers may be requested.
Yours sincerely,
Signed, T.A. Smiddy.
Two clerical officers were assigned to the committee on the following Monday, the 3rd December, 1956.
As regards the last part of the Deputy's question, I have nothing to add to the comprehensive statement made by the Taoiseach on the 5th October last in regard to the Government's policy on agriculture generally, which indicated that it is the Government's intention to maintain stable and guaranteed prices for the principal items of agricultural production, including milk.
While the analogy might be a bit strained, is the Minister aware that while the Government had no trouble whatever in giving 3½d. a gallon to the producers of petrol in Venezuela, the unfortunate dairy farmers have to wait for a year?
I trust the Deputy will not hereafter mistake petrol for milk.