Flax

Mr. KELLY
asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he will give a return showing the number of towns where flax markets were held up to 31st March, 1918, for the 1917 crop; the number of markets held in such towns; the amount of flax bought; the total price paid; and the average price per stone?

Mr. KELLAWAY
I have been asked to reply to this question. The following statement gives the information desired:Towns where flax markets were held up to 31st March, 1918, for the 1917 crop, showing the number of markets held in each:
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|Armagh      |…|Ballybay   |…|
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|Ballymena   |…|Ballymoney |…|
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|Ballynahinch|…|Belfast    |…|
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|Castleblaney|…|Coleraine  |…|
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|Cookstown   |…|Cootehill  |…|
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|Ballineen   |…|Kilkeel    |…|
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|Letterkenney|…|Limavady   |…|
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|Lisnaskea   |…|Londonderry|…|
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|Magherafelt |…|Monaghan   |…|
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|Newry       |…|Newtownards|…|
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|Omagh       |…|Portadown  |…|
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|Rathfriland |…|Strabane   |…|
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|Ballyshannon|…|           | ||
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The total flax bought in all markets was 11,934 tons, at total cost of £2,717,981. The average price per stone was 28s. 6d.