asked the Minister of Agriculture how much baling wire has been allocated for use in Berkshire during the current quarter; and how this compares with the amounts for the previous quarter and the same period last year.

An allocation of 39½ tons of baling wire was made to Berkshire in the current quarter, as compared with 64 tons in the previous quarter, and 85 and 80 tons in the second and first quarters of 1946 respectively.

In view of that very deplorable statement that Berkshire is getting only one-third of what it had before, can the Minister give us an assurance that we shall have enough baling wire to keep pace with the coming harvest?

I am hopeful that there will be imports from Belgium at an early date, and I hope Berkshire may have part of that allocation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why farmers who have invested in hay balers, are not allowed baling wire unless they certify that it is to be used exclusively for hay or staw to be sold and not used on their own farms.

Because the current shortage of baling wire makes it necessary for the present to conserve supplies for the most essential purposes.