§ Captain R. TERRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the high price of fertilisers; and what steps he has taken to lower the price and increase the quantity available?
§ Commander EYRES-MONSELLThe prices of artificial fertilisers to which my hon. and gallant Friend presumably refers384W have been fixed by Orders issued by the Ministry of Munitions up to the 31st May, 1919. In the cases of sulphate of ammonia and super phosphate the prices fixed were less than the cost of production. Active steps have been taken to increase the quantity available for agriculture, and in consequence this has been larger than in any previous year. It is not proposed to continue the fixing of prices by Order during the coming season, but the Board are endeavouring to arrange by voluntary agreements among the makers that fertilisers shall be sold at reasonable prices.