asked the Minister for Finance the number of loans granted by the Agricultural Credit Corporation to people other than farmers in the past two years.

The number of loans granted by the Agricultural Credit Corporation to people other than farmers in the past two years was— 48 in the year to February, 1973, and 57 in the year to February, 1974. Such loans were made to grain merchants and food processors whose activities are allied to the agricultural industry.

Can the Minister indicate the amount of cash involved?

£4.6 million in 1972-73, £10 million, estimated in 1973-74.

Did I hear the Minister say that the amount of money made available, to people who are not farmers, from this primarily farmer borrowing institution has risen from £4 million to £10 million? Is that what the Minister said?

From £4.6 million to £10 million, the advances being made to grain merchants who get working finance to buy up grain at harvest time and firms in the agricultural processing industry such as creameries, meat factories and grain mills.

Would the Minister seriously ask the authorities to have another look at the approval they normally give to advances made to grain merchants because in the past six months this particular trade must have done very handsomely indeed, without assistance from——

I hope the Deputy will ask a question rather than make a statement.

It is important to appreciate that all of those advances are for the purposes of helping the agricultural industry.