asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he will state the amount of grant allocated to each county under his Department's lime scheme in each of the years 1940/41 and 1941/42; the amount provided by each county; whether the full amount was spent in each county and, further, if he will now give an indication as to the possibility of larger allocations for the year 1942/43, taking into consideration the increased acreage under tillage, and the decreased quantities of manure available.

I am giving the information asked for by the Deputy in Parts 1 and 2 of his question in the form of a tabular statement, which will be circulated in the Official Reports.

Following is the statement:—

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

LIME SUBSIDY SCHEME AS ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE COUNTY COMMITTEES OF AGRICULTURE.

As to Part 3, the total provided was not fully spent in any county in 1940/41.

As the period for deliveries of lime under the scheme for 1941/42, will not terminate until the 31st January, 1942, it is not possible at present to indicate the amount of the expenditure under the scheme for that season.

The question of the lime subsidy for the season 1942/43 is at present engaging my attention.

Arising out of the Minister's reply, and in view of what has transpired with regard to artificials, is the Minister aware that the Department of Supplies have refused to grant permits for the purchase of culm for the purpose of burning lime in the turf areas? Has he made any representations to the Department of Supplies in view of the fact that its attitude on this matter has left those lime kilns idle, since it is impossible to burn lime with turf fires?

That question, like all other questions where the two departments come in, has been discussed between the two departments.

I am sure it is absolutely unnecessary for me to point out to the Minister how very important this matter is. The Minister himself referred to it in his recent broadcast. At the present time, when the lime kilns should be burning lime, when the farmers are in a position to draw it, they are black idle, because permits will not be given for the purchase of culm. The whole thing seems to be very absurd. A lime burner told me that he will not get a permit to purchase culm because he is in a turf area. I suggest that this is a matter that should engage the immediate attention of the Minister, and that he should get in touch with the Department of Supplies about it.

Is the Minister aware that at the coal mines in Arigna there is a supply of culm which is going waste and which could be used up for the burning of lime? It cannot be used for that purpose, because the Department is not issuing permits to people to purchase it.

I have in my possession at least half-a-dozen letters from lime kiln owners dealing with this matter. The matter is so urgent that the Minister ought to have it seen to at once.

The matter is being considered at the moment.

I hope the Minister will be able to get an early decision on it.