asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state in respect of superphosphates (a) the average ex-factory price in 1938 and 1944; (b) the subsidy per ton in 1938 and 1944; (c) the average cost of materials involved in manufacture in 1938 and 1944; (d) the average factory cost excluding materials of the conversion of raw phosphate rock into superphosphate in 1938 and 1944; (e) the average cost of Clare phosphate rock delivered at manufacturers in 1944; (f) the average cost of pyrites imported in 1938, and imported and home produced in 1944; (g) (1) the value of the gross output; (2) the value of the net output; (3) the total salaries and wages paid, and (4) the remainder of the net output for 1938 and 1944; (h) the ratio of conversion of raw phosphate rock into superphosphate using imported rock in 1938 and the mixed rock employed in 1944; and (i) the ratio of imported and Clare rock used in 1944.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Production of Superphosphates.
(a) In 1938 the price quoted for 30 per cent. superphosphate was £3 11s. 3d. per ton ex-factory at Dublin and Cork. Ex-factory prices were slightly higher elsewhere. In 1944 there was a flat price of £12 per ton delivered to any railway or canal station. This was approximately equivalent to an ex-factory price of £10 12s. 6d. per ton. (b) No subsidy was payable on superphosphate in 1938. It is not possible to segregate the amount of subsidy paid on superphosphate or any other specific fertiliser in 1944. (c), (d) and (h) This information is not available. (e) It is not the practice to give this information which would disclose the affairs of individual concerns. (f) In 1938 the average cost of imported pyrites was £1 3s. 7d. per ton and in 1944 it was £17 17s. 11d. The price charged to the fertiliser manufacturers for home produced pyrities in 1944 was £2 per ton. (g) It is not possible to give these particulars for any specific commodity. They are compiled only for industries or groups of industries as a whole. Superphosphate is only one kind of fertiliser and to avoid the disclosure of the business of particular firms, its production has always been included in the heading "Superphosphates and Compound Manures". The values of production of superphosphates and compound manures in 1938 and 1943 (the latest year for which figures are available) were £464,609 and £559,254 respectively. (i) Of the total quantity of rock phosphate used in the 1944 season approximately 42 per cent. was imported and the balance, 58 per cent., was home produced.
The Minister stated that it was not possible to give the amount of the subsidy per ton. Will the Minister say why?
The method of paying the subsidy does not permit of the segregation of the amount as between superphosphate and other compound fertilisers.
Would the Minister say if he is satisfied that the cost of manufacture of these important raw materials for food production is reasonable in the circumstances?
Yes.