§ MR. LEAasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the statement that there is no seed for planting, or means to purchase it, in some of the distressed districts; and, if the Government will give assistance for the supply of seed this year?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the small occupiers of land to whom seed was given by loan in 1880 still owe the Exchequer some £300,000 in respect of the debt then incurred. Applications are frequently being made to me to have the balance of the loan remitted; I received one such application from a Board of Guardians only yesterday. Under these circumstances the Government are not prepared to recommend to Parliament that any exceptional measuress hould be again taken this year for the supply of seed.