§ Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Minister of Agriculture, the approximate price of basic slag in any specified locality before the Government subsidy was announced and the corresponding price at this date; whether the subsidy is paid to the farmer or to the merchant; and whether he has imposed on merchants any requirement that they should clearly quote the price less the subsidy?
Mr. HudsonThe prices of basic slag supplied under the Land Fertility Scheme have to be approved by Ministers. Typical ex works prices before the Land Fertility Scheme was announced were 20S.; 37s.; and 495. 6d. a ton for the lowest, medium and highest grades respectively. These were reduced by agreement between the parties concerned, the corresponding prices at the outbreak of war being 19s.; 35s.; and 46s. 6d. Small increases to allow for war-time rises in the cost of fuel, bags, etc., have since been approved, and the present corresponding prices are 21s. 9d.; 37s. 9d. and 49s. 3d. Exchequer contribution is pa id to the farmer, or, if the farmer so directs in writing, to the supplier. The approved procedure requires merchants to invoice the slag at the net delivered price for cash actually charged to the farmer. Payment of the Exchequer contribution is made as a separate transaction after the details entered on the prescribed application form submitted by the farmer have been carefully checked by the Land Fertility Committee.