asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether his attention was directed to the advertisement published in the Press by his Department, inviting applications for a number of non-Civil Service posts in the head office of the Saorstát alcohol factories; whether he is aware that the salaries offered in connection with posts requiring considerable experience and training are exceedingly low; and whether, having regard to the nature of the positions concerned, he will take steps to secure that there will be a substantial increase in the salaries and wages offered.

The Deputy, no doubt, refers to a recent advertisement for staff required in the head office of Saorstát Alcohol Factories. The initial wages offered, ranging from £3 5s. for a ledger clerk to 25/- for a female office assistant, compare favourably with the rates obtaining in the majority of Dublin commercial concerns.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, does he think it right and proper that an industry of this kind, functioning under his aegis, should pay a rate of wages of 25/- to 30/- a week to adult employees?

Those are starting wages for beginners.

And the Minister justifies a wage of 25/- to an adult on the grounds that it is a starting wage? Is that the position?

Arising out of the Minister's reply, would he cause to be circulated the terms of the agreement under which Mr. Mass, the general manager of the industrial alcohol industry, is working at the present time?

That is a separate question.

Well, Sir, the question asked by the Deputy has relation to the employees of the Saorstát alcohol factories and their salaries. Mr. Mass is an employee of the Saorstát alcohol factories, probably responsible—certainly in a consultative capacity—for the terms of any advertisement made. I submit with respect that it is relevant to inquire as to what terms he works under, and what is the nature of the agreement he has with the Department of Industry and Commerce.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, does he think that such appointments are necessary, seeing that three of the alcohol factories have not started work, or will he let the House know when those factories will start operations?

Is the Minister ashamed to answer questions about those starvation wages?

The questions are entirely irrelevant, and they are not starvation wages.

They are starvation rates of wages paid with the approval of the Department.

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he will state the wages payable to the several grades of workers employed by the Saorstát alcohol factories, and the number of persons employed in each such grade.

A statement containing the information desired by the Deputy will be circulated with the Official Report.

WORKERS EMPLOYED AT INDUSTRIAL ALCOHOL FACTORY, COOLEY, CO. LOUTH.

SKELETON STAFF AT THE FOUR FACTORIES WHICH ARE NOT YET IN OPERATION.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, will the statement include the terms of the agreement under which Mr. Mass is working?

It will supply the information asked for in the question.

Perhaps the Minister did not hear my question?

Perhaps the Deputy did not hear my reply?

The Minister says he is going to circulate the information in the Official Report. I asked him if his answer to question No. 14 will include the terms under which Mr. Mass is working?

It will give the information asked for in the question.

I cannot force the Minister to answer a legitimate supplementary question.

Order!

I submit that my supplementary question is relevant and in order.

The question asked relates to wages paid and not to other terms of employment.

Have I the right to ask the Minister to read his answer instead of circulating it in the Official Report?

If the answer is in tabular form the Chair may accept the request of a Minister that it be circulated with the Official Report.

And in view of the Minister's refusal to inform us whether one particular item is mentioned in that, I respectfully request the Chair not to afford him that indulgence on this occasion, but to request him to read his reply.

The Chair is accepting the Minister's request.

That will be another day and another question.