asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the international situation and of the adverse balance of payments, he will state what steps are being taken by Government Departments to economise in the use of imported fuels and to substitute home-produced fuels therefor.

It is the general policy to use native fuels to the greatest possible extent for purposes of heating in Government Offices and buildings and imported fuel is used only where the requirements cannot be met otherwise.

Would the Parliamentary Secretary take Deputy MacBride and other members of the House to the Department of External Affairs and see the very fine native-burning apparatus which is there after Deputy MacBride was there for three years?

At the rate Deputy Aiken is going on, I will have to ask Deputy Burke to come in and take charge on that side of the House.