asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the estimated quantity of oats in merchants' and farmers' stores at present and the estimated quantity required for home use until the next harvest season.

I am not in a position to state the quantity of oats at present held in merchants' and farmers' stores.

The bulk of the oats crop is used on the farms where it is grown. The total requirements of the market provided by oatmeal millers, manufacturers of compound feeding stuffs, seed merchants and horse feeders, etc., are probably about 130,000 tons.

Can the Minister indicate how long the supply will last?

Which supply?

The supply that he has announced is in store or is on hands.

I did not refer to any such supply.

It will all depend on the consumption.

According to normal consumption how long does he think the stores will last?

I stated that I am not in a position to state the quantity of oats at present held in merchants' and farmers' stores