asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state, in view of the fact that a final notice has been advertised calling in all outstanding fertiliser vouchers, (1) what amount still remains outstanding in lieu of vouchers that have been lost or unclaimed; (2) what procedure it is proposed to adopt in cases where the farmer whose vouchers have been lost or mislaid can get verification in the form of sale dockets of the quantities of wheat that he delivered in the years for which his vouchers are missing, and (3) what procedure is to be adopted if no records at all can be obtained.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Fertiliser Vouchers.
It is estimated that as at 31st January, 1953, the closing date fixed for the submission of dockets, the amount still outstanding in respect of unclaimed credit vouchers was £350,000.
In cases where dockets have been lost or mislaid and where application was made by the grower by the closing date mentioned, sales dockets will be accepted in lieu of lost or mislaid dockets.
Where a claim made before the closing date is unsupported by any evidence of the alleged sale and where verification of the sale from the records of the purchaser or otherwise is not possible, a credit voucher cannot be issued.