asked the Minister for Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that supplies of home-grown onions are now becoming available, he will prohibit the importation of foreign onions.

Permission was given for the importation of a consignment of onions early last month to meet requirements until such time as the home-produced crop would become available. It is not intended to authorise any further importations of onions for the present.

Will this result in an increase in the price of onions to the consumer?

Home-produced onions will possibly be a little dearer.

But not substantially?

I do not think so.

The foreign onions are 3½d. per lb.