80. captain TERRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the shortage of nitrates for use on the land; and whether he can arrange to liberate larger quantities immediately?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThere is no shortage of nitrate for use on the land. The Ministry of Munitions are ready and willing to dispose of their stocks of nitrates, but there is at present no appreciable demand from farmers in this country.
§ Mr HIGHAMIs it not a fact that the present Government price is £25 a ton for nitrate, although nitrate can be brought into this country and be sold at £13 a ton?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYThe price is fixed by the Board of Agriculture. The figures given by the hon. Member are not correct. The price is £20 a ton.
§ Mr. HIGHAMIs not that the reason why the farmer does not take nitrate to use on his land?
Captain TERRELLCan the hon. Gentleman give the names of his advisers who tell him that there is no shortage of nitrate in the country?
§ Mr. MARSHALL STEVENSDoes the hon. Gentleman know that there are stores in this country filled with nitrate of soda, and that as a consequence large quantities of wool, for which the stores could be used, could be stored there if the nitrate was sold to the farmers?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYI will make inquiries.
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman has so much information that he appears to have other means of knowledge.