THE EARL OF TANKERVILLEasked His Majesty's Government why, when the feeding value of the land has been depleted, north Northumberland farmers are still unable to obtain any high grade basic slag, although it is obtainable in quite fair quantities in the adjoining counties of southern Scotland; and further to ask what good reason, if any, exists for this apparently unfair discrimination, since it would appear that the slag is actually transported through Northumberland in order to reach south eastern Scotland; also whether, and if so when, this inequality is to be adjusted and reasonable supplies of high grade basic slag made available to north Northumberland farmers.
LORD PAKENHAMThe quantity of basic slag which steel works can produce 1307WA as high grade material is limited by technical considerations. The delivery to Scotland of part of the available supply accords with arrangements agreed between the Departments of Agriculture in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland for the equitable sharing of phosphate fertilisers generally between the 1308WA three countries. Distribution of basic slag over England and Wales has been affected by transport difficulties, but it is expected that increased deliveries of high grade material will be made to Northumberland during the season commencing July 1.
House adjourned at twenty-five minutes before eight o'clock.