asked the Minister for Agriculture whether it is proposed to do anything to improve the conditions of cow-testing supervisors whose average weekly income is about £3 10s. per week.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Conditions of Cow-Testing Supervisors.
45.
This is primarily the concern of the local cow-testing associations which employ the supervisors. I cannot yet say what revised arrangements may be made as regards milk recording in general or what effect such arrangements may have on the present position of cow-testing supervisors.
While, as the Minister says, this is primarily the concern of the cow-testing associations, does he not think that the time is overdue for a revision of this whole system which at present employs men at an average weekly wage of £3 10s. which, manifestly, cannot bespeak efficient performance of the duties which should be discharged by cow-testing supervisors?
I think I conveyed to the House on the occasion of the introduction of my Estimate last year, if not the year before, that it was my intention to bring about such a revision. I have made several efforts towards that end but I find it exceedingly difficult to provide a scheme which will be acceptable to all the interests concerned.
I may take it, then, that the Minister is seeking to rearrange the situation so that more adequate remuneration will be available to the men and that an efficient service may be thereby secured?
Apart from remuneration, I am particularly anxious to provide a scheme that will be all-embracing and, of course, as a result of that, I would expect that the general conditions of those employed under it would be more satisfactory than at present.