asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what are his proposals to ensure that the demand for an increase in the price of milk supplied to creameries will not result in an increase in the retail price of milk or of rationed butter to the consumers.

The Deputy will be aware that the Government has already announced an increase in the guaranteed price of milk supplied to creameries by 1d. per gallon during the summer months and that this will result in an increase of 2d. per lb. in the price of rationed butter. The retail price of milk to consumers for the forthcoming year is at present under examination.

Would the Minister say if, instead of increasing the price of milk to the consumer, a subsidy will be given so as to enable milk to be sold to the people at a reasonable price?

The Deputy will understand that that is a very easy solution until we proceed to get the equivalent of the subsidy out of the pockets of the people.

That is a new discovery.