asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state in great hundreds the surplus production of eggs after home consumption during each of the years ended 31st December, 1930; 31st December, 1936; 31st December, 1942, and 31st December, 1943.

The surplus production of eggs after home consumption, that is to say, the quantity available for export, was 4,736,000 great hundreds in 1930 and 2,967,000 in 1936. The corresponding figures for the years 1942 and 1943 cannot be supplied, as it is not in accordance with public policy to publish detailed statistics of trade subsequent to August, 1939.

Can the Minister say if there has been a reduction in 1942-43 as compared with the previous year?

There has been a reduction in surplus, but I have not got the figures of production.