asked the Minister for Finance if he will state in respect of the period 1947-48 to 1955-56, inclusive, (a) the total amount of State capital made available for directly increasing agricultural production, excluding electric power but including arterial drainage, (b) the total capital outlay of the State, (c) the total expenditure on agriculture, and (d) the total expenditure under all heads paid from current annual taxation.
Written Answer. - State Capital Expenditure.
Following is the information required: (a) £26.8 million, (b) £228.5 million, (c) £77.6 million, (d) £800.1 million. It is assumed that (d) of the question relates to total expenditure over the period financed from current revenue.
In regard to the question of taking as expenditure for directly increasing agricultural production the proportion of the bread and flour subsidy which might be regarded as attributable to the cost of native wheat being greater than that of imported wheat, attention is directed to a reply given by the Minister for Industry and Commerce to a question by Deputy Allen on 14th December last, in which is was indicated that the furnishing of an exact figure in this regard is impracticable.