asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate the position regarding the supply of artificial manures, especially ammonia, for the coming year.

I expect that the total quantity of artificial fertilisers available this season will be somewhat greater and of higher fertilising value than last season's supplies, when approximately 175,000 tons of fertilisers were sold. Some 24,000 tons of sulphate of ammonia—the quantity allocated to this country—are to be imported, and the bulk of it will be available for direct application to crops.

Can the Minister say what is likely to be the price of sulphate of ammonia?

I cannot say at this stage.