asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that merchants throughout the country had in stock, prior to a recent increase of £1 5s. 0d. a ton, large stocks of superphosphate; and, if so, whether he will ensure that this increase is not passed on to the farmers before these stocks are expended.

I am not aware that merchants throughout the country held large stocks of superphosphate at the date of the recent increase of £1 5s. 0d. per ton in the price of that commodity and, consequently, do not think that any special action is called for on my part on the lines envisaged by the Deputy.

If the Minister is made aware that they had large stocks at that time, will he be prepared to ensure that the extra cost will not be passed on to the farmer?

Would not the position be that the superphosphate would not be in stock, but that superphosphate would be manufactured from supplies of phosphate—phosphate rock, to a large extent—already in stock? Is not that the position?

All these considerations were taken into account when the price was fixed.