asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate the reasons why applicants for loans under the Grain Storage (Loans) Act, 1951, have not had their applications satisfied.

Applications for loans have been refused in two cases, in which it was considered that the proposals of the applicant would not result in any worthwhile addition to net storage or drying capacity. A number of applications are at present under consideration or have been approved in principle.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary say how many have been approved in principle?

About 12 or 13.

The Parliamentary Secretary will recall that he stated last week there were only six applications in for loans under the Act. Can he state now if the remaining applications have come in since then?

This is cross-examination.

In any event, I think I am pretty safe in telling the Deputy that 12 or 13 were approved in principle. I have no further comment to make.