asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the cost to date of the measures taken to recoup manufacturers in respect of the import levy of 15 per cent imposed by the British Government.

It is not possible at the moment to estimate the cost to date of the market development grants scheme for the reason that a considerable number of claims which have not yet been finalised by exporters remain to be presented for payment.

Can the Minister indicate when he expects to be in a position to give a firm figure?

I doubt if I can because I think I told the House on previous occasions a fairly ready formula has been evolved by my Department for payments of these claims as soon as the appropriate documents are presented. The delay is on the side of those whose responsibility it is to present these documents to my officials, and I believe the British customs authorities are involved in this as well as the exporters themselves. Therefore, I am afraid I cannot give any indication as to when all these little formalities can be cleared.

I take it that when the Minister is introducing his Estimate, he will be able to give a firm figure up to a certain date?

I think I could do that by then.