asked the Minister for Supplies whether in view of the fact that the quantity of turf cut during the present season will be mainly governed by the attitude of his Department regarding future imports of coal, he will give an early assurance that such future imports will not militate against the sale of reasonably good turf.

The information at my disposal indicates that the supplies of imported coal will be so restricted that there will be a ready market for all the turf which is likely to be produced this season. In the circumstances, the question of giving an assurance of the nature referred to by the Deputy does not arise.

asked the Minister for Supplies whether in view of the fact that the turf cutting season is now at hand, he will fix a minimum price for turf at the bogside, the price to operate from September and during the coming winter.

The demand for turf during the coming winter will almost certainly exceed the supply owing to the limited quantity of coal which will be available. Consequently, it does not appear to be either necessary or desirable to fix a minimum price for turf at the bogside.