§ 69. Sir N. GRIFFITHSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agri- 906 culture what quantity of the following fertilisers: sulphate of ammonia, ground basic slag, and superphosphates, is at present imported from Germany, the cost to the British Government of such importation, and the present retail price of such fertilisers?
The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)I will circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ The following is the reply:
§ I am informed that no sulphate of ammonia, ground basic slag or superphosphate is being imported from Germany. The present maximum prices of the respective fertilisers are:
§ Sulphate of Ammonia.—For sale in lots of not less than 2 tons for delivery by rail or water to purchaser's nearest railway station or wharf in Great Britain, less a trade discount to agricultural merchants, dealers and co-operative societies.
| Month of Delivery. | Price per Ton in bags, net Cash. | ||
| £ | s. | d. | |
| December, 1919 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| January, 1920 | 21 | 7 | 6 |
| February | 21 | 15 | 0 |
| March, April and May | 22 | 0 | 0 |
§ Basic Slag.—The maximum prices range from 62s. per ton for slag containing 12 to 14 per cent. total phosphates to 102s. per ton for slags containing 42 to 44 per cent. total phosphates. The prices include delivery in makers' bags to purchaser's nearest station or wharf for minimum lots of 4 tons.
§ In the case of both sulphate of ammonia and basic slag the prices given include, in deliveries to Ireland, Isle of Man or Channel Islands, delivery f.o.b. port in Great Britain.
§ Superphosphate.—Owing to the varying cost of importing phosphate rock it has not been possible to arrange for superphosphate to be sold at a uniform delivered price. During the 1918–19 season phosphate rock and other materials were sold to superphosphate makers by the Government at less than market prices. This assistance has been discontinued. The present quotations for 30 per cent. superphosphate are from £7 5s. to £7 7s. 6d. per ton free on rail.
§ 70. Sir N. GRIFFITHSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of 907 Agriculture what, if ally, profit the Government are making per ton on basic slag now being sold at fixed prices ranging from 62s. per ton for 12 per cent. up to 102s. per ton for 42 per cent. of total phosphates; and will he state what proportion, if any, of such basic slag is made up out of material obtained from Germany?
Sir A. BOSCAWENNo basic slag is sold by the Government, nor do they profit by the sales made by makers. As regards the latter part of the question, I am informed that no raw slag is being obtained from Germany.
§ 71. Sir N. GRIFFITHSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the trade are unable to accept orders for a quality of basic slag over 22 per cent., and that even this quality is only obtainable after considerable delay; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter in view of the serious effect such delay will have on next year's crops?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave on the 2nd inst. in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Monmouth.