asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state whether licences for the importation of concentrated granulated compound fertilisers have been granted for 1953; if so, if he will indicate (a) to whom these have been issued; (b) what quantity of such fertilisers may be imported under such licences; (c) if such importations of fertiliser are permitted duty free or are subject to duty; and, if the latter, what the rate of duty is; (d) why such imports have been allowed; (e) if employment in Dublin and Wicklow has been affected by such importations and (f) if the effect on home employment was considered before such licences were given.

Licences for the importation of 6,020 tons of concentrated granulated compound fertilisers have been granted to a number of firms from whom applications were received. It isnot the practice to give the names of the licensees.

The customs duty of 20 per cent. ad raloremwas not charged on these importations.

The licences were granted because supplies of the compounds were not available from home sources in quantities sufficient to meet the current season's requirements. I have no information that the importations have had any adverse effect on employment.