asked the Minister for Agriculture if a price has been fixed for the 1947 flax crop; and if so, what that price is.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Flax Crop.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state the price fixed for the 1946 flax crop; the average price paid to the flax growers of West Cork in the Clonakilty market for the portion of the 1946 crop already sold; and if he has received any complaints regarding the grading of flax in the above market.
asked the Minister for Agriculture whether an increased allowance of artificial manure will be available for the 1947 flax crop; and if so, what the increased allocation will be.
Questions numbered 43, 44 and 45 relate to the same subject and I propose, with your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, to take them together. The prices fixed for flax of the 1946 crop ranged from 20/- to 25/- per stone according to grade, with an additional 1/6 per stone for each grade of turbine scutched, dam-retted flax. The average price paid to growers in respect of flax of the 1946 crop already sold at Clonakilty market was 21/5 per stone. I have received complaints that flax sold at this and other markets has been grading low. I am advised that the low grading may be attributed to the inferior quality of the flax as compared with previous years, due to the exceptionally unfavourable conditions which prevailed during the season, particularly at harvest time. The prices to be paid for flax of the 1947 crop have not yet been fixed but it is expected that they will show a considerable increase on last year's prices. There will be no increase in the allocation of potash to flax growers in 1947.