asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the growing practice of removing the top six-inch spit of good pasture land turf for sale to public parks and gardens; and if, in view of the necessity of increasing the meat production, he will take steps to stop this practice.

I am aware that a certain amount of turf is being removed from agricultural land in some areas. Where this practice is sufficiently extensive to impair the efficient; farming of an agricultural unit, I shall not hesitate to use the powers of Part II of the Agriculture Act, 1947, to put the occupier under supervision on grounds of bad husbandry.