asked the Minister for Supplies if it is a fact that three-quarters of last year's importation of superphosphate will be available this year, and if he will arrange that those who purchased superphosphate last year will get this fertiliser proportionately this year; if also he will be in a position to inform such farmers where they can purchase their due supply in view of the many complaints that superphosphate cannot be secured in country towns.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supply of Superphosphate.
On the information now available as to deliveries already made to merchants and as to stocks held by the manufacturers, it is estimated that during the present season there will be available for distribution approximately one half of the quantity of superphosphate which was delivered during last season. It is also estimated that there will be available this season about the same quantity of phosphatic compound manures as was available during the last season. I understand that arrangements have been made by the Department of Agriculture whereby the quantity of superphosphate and of compound manures available for distribution this season will be allocated to the usual distributors throughout the country on the basis of their respective purchases in 1940. These merchants have been informed that, in the distribution of these manures to their customers, it is desirable that they should be reserved for tillage crops rather than applied to grassland but, subject to this, farmers should be able to procure from the merchants with whom they usually do business a due proportion of their purchases in 1940. It is unlikely that farmers will be able to procure any supplies except from merchants with whom they did business last season, and they are already aware of the names of these merchants.
Many farmers have come to me and told me that they sent orders to the merchants from whom they usually got supplies and the reply they got was that they had no superphosphates to give them. I hope the Minister will see that these farmers will get a fair proportion of the available artificial manures. In the case of some land, you will get no green crops or potatoes if you do not use artificial manures.
The second moiety of the quantity of superphosphates which will be available this year is only now being delivered by the manufacturers to the distributors and that delivery will be proceeding until the end of March.
May I tell these farmers that they are sure to get their supplies?
The Deputy can assure farmers that they are entitled to get half the quantity of superphosphates they purchased last year and the same quantity of phosphatic manures that they purchased last year.
Farmers who are getting no supplies at present are entitled to half what they got last year?
Yes, half the supply of superphosphates.
Is there any machinery whereby people who purchased superphosphates last year can be assured of half the supply this year?
We have to reply on the distributors to see that division amongst the farmers, of the supplies available, is equitably carried out.
When shall we get a definite figure as to the exact quantity of superphosphates available? Is the Minister aware that, recently, the Minister for Agriculture, in the course of his tillage drive through the country, assured farmers that they would get 75 per cent. of the quantity of superphosphates they got last year and that the Secretary of the Department told them they would get 75 per cent.?
The Minister for Supplies is responsible only for his own activities. He is not responsible for the activities of another Minister.
I want a definite figure because it is most important that the farmers should have this information at the present time. Does the Minister appreciate the necessity of giving the farmer accurate information so that he can make his plans? Is 50 per cent. or 75 per cent. the right figure?
If the Deputy can tell me what, precisely, is going to happen in the war during the next few months, I shall answer his question.
That is not the point. A good deal of confusion and misunderstanding has been created by virtue of the fact that officials of the Department of Agriculture and certain county instructors stated at meetings, held to induce farmers to grow more food, that 75 per cent. of last year's supply of artificial manures would be available this year. Farmers are going to the merchants and demanding 75 per cent. of the amount supplied them last year. I think the point the Deputy wants made clear is whether the distribution will be 75 or 50 per cent.
If the Deputy will agree with me that we cannot regard as available anything that is not now in the country then the distribution will be 50 per cent., and that is represented by deliveries already made or stocks in the hands of merchants.
Mr. Morrissey
Therefore responsible officials should not be instructed to say that 75 per cent. will be available.
Are not they entitled to hope for it?
Mr. Morrissey
I am surprised at the Minister.
asked the Minister for Supplies if he is aware that the price charged for XXX superphosphate at present is £8 per ton, i.e., an increase of over £1 10s. per ton on recent prices, and if he will state the justification for such a substantial increase by the manufacturers, and what measures he proposes to take to ensure that old stocks are sold to the farmer at a fair price and that profiteering does not occur either by the manufacturer or merchant.
I am aware that the ex-works price of XXX superphosphate is now £8 per ton. The increase of £1 15s. per ton over the price previously prevailing was sanctioned by me and is due to the rise in the cost of raw materials. I am satisfied that this price is reasonable. A few complaints of alleged overcharging by merchants have recently been made to my Department. These are at present under investigation, and if the Deputy knows of any similar cases they will also be investigated.
Will the Minister say when did the last cargo of raw material arrive in this country? If superphosphate was worth £6 5s. per ton ex-factory three weeks ago is there any justification for an increase of £1 15s. per ton to-day or did the last cargo of raw material influence the price to that extent?
The process of price control is not quite as simple as the Deputy seems to suppose. Allowances have to be made for stocks purchased previously and carried over from the past season as well as for the raw materials imported during this season. As an indication of the rise in the cost of these raw materials I may mention that phosphate rock was imported prewar at an average c.i.f. price of 30/- per ton; the price paid recently for the same phosphate rock, imported c.i.f., was 144/-.
Would the Minister say when was "recently"?
I am referring to the phosphate rock that is now going out in the form of superphosphate to the farmers.
When was the last cargo imported?
The Deputy does not expect information of that kind by way of supplementary question.
I think it is very important. It must influence the price.
I merely want to say that the increase in the price of superphosphate which has been sanctioned by me is reasonable having regard to the increased prices paid for phosphate rock and other raw materials imported in the past season.
Is it the fact that the importers are fixing the prices and not the Minister?
The fact is the prices are fixed by me.
They are agreed to by the Minister.
When was the last cargo imported?
I would want notice of the question, obviously.
Is the price fixed on the basis of the last cargo that arrived or on the basis of the cost of the material already on hands?
The price is fixed upon the basis of the total cost of the raw material available, no matter when it came in.
Fixed by the importers.
Will the Minister say why the second consignment was withheld from the merchants until the price jumped by 35/-?
To ensure proper utilisation and at the request of the Department of Agriculture.