asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he is aware that there is an acute shortage of native asbestos roofing material in the country at present and that in consequence the erection of poultry houses and chicken houses is seriously impeded; and, if so, what steps, if any, he proposes to take so that the building of houses under the various poultry schemes may be carried on forthwith.

For some time past the quantities of asbestos-cement roofing materials and of other types of roofing materials that could be manufactured at home have not been sufficient for all the building operations for which supplies have been sought. In order to relieve the shortage, the customs duties on the importation of all types of roofing materials have been suspended since November last.