asked the President if he will state when it is anticipated the Report of the Grain Inquiry Tribunal will be published, and to state the reason for the delay.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - The Grain Inquiry Tribunal.
I understand that the Tribunal is at present engaged in considering a draft of the Report, which, it is hoped, will be available at an early date. The main cause of the delay is, I understand, the extent of the investigations which the Tribunal had to undertake in order to supplement the oral and written evidence presented to it.
Is the President aware that twelve months ago, on the 4th June, 1930, the Minister for Finance informed the House that the Tribunal was engaged in drafting its Report, and that it would be published within a short time from that date?
No, I am not aware of that, though I suppose I ought to be.
Is the President also aware that in December, 1929, the Minister for Agriculture informed the House that the Report would probably be available in January, 1930?
No. As a matter of fact I do not think that the Minister was a member of the Tribunal.
Are we to understand, therefore, that no reliance can be placed on any information given to the House by Ministers?
No. I believe the Minister was perfectly bona fide in making that statement, but that his anticipations were rather optimistic.
Is any greater reliance to be placed on the President's announcement to-day than on the announcement of the Minister for Finance made this time twelve months?
Not according to the ordinary collective responsibility of the Ministry, but this information is much more up-to-date.