asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that the custom is growing for speculators to have their names placed on the waiting lists for agricultural equipment, with a view to selling such equipment, at a premium, to farmers before or shortly after delivery; and if so, what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the genuine buyer against such undesirable practices.

I have no evidence that there is speculation of the nature referred to by the Deputy. If the Deputy has any information which he thinks would be of use in this connection I presume that he will make it available to my Department and I will take the matter up with the Minister for Agriculture.