asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the shortage of pipe and cigarette tobacco and the increasing difficulty of importing these commodities, he will permit and encourage a substantial increase in the acreage of home-grown pipe and cigarette tobacco.

As the Deputy is aware, substantial encouragement has been given to growers by this year's Finance Act, which increased the difference between the customs and excise rates of duty from 10d. to 1/1 per lb. I will be prepared to consider favourably proposals for a further increase next season in the acreage under home-grown tobacco in the light of the experience obtained in the present year.