asked the Minister for Agriculture whether he is aware of the recent increase in the price of artificial manures of £1 10s. 0d. per ton; and, if so, whether he will deal with the matter by subsidy or otherwise in view of the serious detrimental effect this will have on agricultural production.

I am aware that the prices of certain fertilisers have recently been permitted to be increased by 30/- per ton. I do not propose to subsidise the prices of these materials, which have been freely available to anybody who wanted to buy them in September, October, November and December last, when prices were low and various rebates obtainable. The Deputy will no doubt remember that I urged farmers to buy and store on their farms or in the land all the phosphates they required during the autumn months. 44 per cent. superphosphate is available at £10 15s. 0d. a ton f.o.r.

Is the Minister not aware that a certain section of the Coalition Government promised that, instead of having a 30/- rise on £10, they would give the fertilisers free?

That was only election talk.