asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether it is proposed to fix any price for the sale of turf produced by private persons in the turf areas during the present year; and, if so, what price.

It is not proposed, for the present, to fix a price or prices for turf sold in the turf areas. The general scale of prices in all parts of the country is kept constantly under observation.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary say whether it is contemplated fixing a price for turf in turf areas in cases where that turf is bought by Fuel Importers, Ltd.?

The Deputy asked about turf production by private persons.

Turf produced by private persons.

Yes.

What I want to ask is: is it intended to fix a price for turf produced by private persons where that turf is bought by Fuel Importers Ltd.?

That is quite in order.

Not necessarily, in the sense in which we have a price fixed for Dublin. It would be a matter of negotiation and arrangement.

Is it the practice for the Parliamentary Secretary to hand over turf to Fuel Importers Ltd. without fixing a price previously?

So far as private persons are concerned?

Yes.

We have bought 10,000 tons of turf in Roscommon and 20,000 tons in Kerry and it was done by advertisement and by contract.

Is it intended to continue that practice?

Yes.

Between whom is the contract effected—is it between Fuel Importers and the cutters or between the county surveyor and the cutters?

In all cases in which contracts have been made they have been between Fuel Importers and someone who contracted to deliver to Fuel Importers so many thousands of tons of turf.

And the persons with whom Fuel Importers make the contract simply go out and buy the turf?

That is so.