asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total quantities of the various nitrogenous, potash and phosphatic manures, manufactured or imported during the year 1947 and also during the first four months of the current year.

The total home production of superphosphate and compound manures during the year 1947 amounted to 138,270 tons. Separate figures in respect of nitrogenous, potash and phosphatic manures are not available. Figures of production are required to be furnished by the manufacturers quarterly, and not monthly; accordingly, it is not possible to state the volume of production for the first four months of 1948, but the quantity of superphosphate and compound manures produced in the first quarter of 1948 was approximately 44,000 tons.

Imports—The following table shows the imports of fertilisers in the year 1947 and the period January-April, 1948, inclusive:—