asked the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries on what information his Department predicted that gross returns on this year's harvest would show an increase of £2.5 million on last year's.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Harvest Returns.
24.
The forecast of an increase of £2.5 million in the gross returns on this year's harvest as compared with last year's was based on reports of increased average yields and better quality of wheat and barley. An additional factor was, of course, the increase of 10/- a barrel which was given to wheat growers this year.
Does the Minister not consider that his statement has given a grossly misleading impression, in view of the fact that last year was one of the worst years for tillage and that even with the increase of 10/-which the Minister claims in the price of wheat, the wheat price is still no better than it was in 1954? Is the Minister further aware that the cash return to farmers will be only a little more than 50 per cent of what it was ten years ago?
(Interruptions.)
Will the Deputy please resume his seat? He is making an argument, not asking a question.
There is no use trying to persuade me that farmers did not have a good harvest this year, because I know they did.
The figures are misleading.
Question No. 25.
Since Cassius Clay entered the ring for leadership, he will say anything.
He is a bit small for Cassius Clay.