asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what the increased annual cost to the Exchequer would be if the price of milk to creameries was increased by (a) 1d. per gallon; (b) 2d. per gallon; (c) 3d. per gallon, and (d) 4d. per gallon.

On the basis of an estimated annual production of 740,000 cwt. of creamery butter and no increase in the present retail price of rationed creamery butter, the increase in the annual cost of the State subsidy would be:—(a) £801,666; (b) £1,603,334; (c) £2,405,002; (d) £3,206,670.

In view of the fact that the Minister admitted in this House that the cost of the subsidy to the Exchequer was a subsidy to the consumer, how can the question of an increased price for milk supplied to creameries arise on a question to the Minister for Agriculture?

Perhaps the Deputy would point that out to Deputy Martin O'Sullivan.

I hope the Deputy will benefit by the education I have given him.

I commend the Deputy for his charitable handling of Deputy O'Sullivan.

asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state what the increased cost of butter per lb. would be if the price of milk to creameries was increased by (a) 1d. per gallon; (b) 2d. per gallon; (c) 3d. per gallon, and (d) 4d. per gallon.

Assuming no increase in the present State subsidy, the cost of creamery butter per lb. would be increased by:—

(a) 2.32 pence (or an increase of 2½d. per lb. in the retail price);

(b) 4.64 pence (or an increase of 5d. per lb. in the retail price);

(c) 6.96 pence (or an increase of 7d. per lb. in the retail price);

(d) 9.28 pence (or an increase of 9½d. per lb. in the retail price).