asked the Minister for Agriculture the capacity of plants available for the milling of wheat for the flour industry.

The capacity of flour mills depends on the number of shifts operated by each mill but the existing mills have quite sufficient capacity to produce all our requirements of about 250,000 tonnes of flour per annum.

Is the Minister aware that since Ranks Mills closed there has been a drop of 30 per cent in the total capacity? I should like to know from the Minister what strategy his Department will adopt to take care of this shortfall.

There is sufficient capacity in the existing mills to cater for our full demands which amount to 250,000 tonnes. This necessitates some of the mills working three shifts in the day and others working two, but the home mills can produce the full amount required.

The Minister must be aware that last year farmers found it difficult to get wheat taken in at the intake points and with a further shortfall in the capacity the position will be quite serious this year. I would like to know what action he is taking just now. I want a "yes" or "no" to that.

I am not giving "yes" or "no" answers if I cannot clarify the position properly. The position is that a number of the existing mills have increased their capacity substantially and we are confident they will be able to meet the demands in the current year.