HC Deb 23 August 1887 vol 319 cc1530-1
MR. COX (Clare, E.)

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he can state the names of the Trustees to whom the Government propose to assign the administration of the Fund for the purpose of encouraging horse breeding in Ireland; and if, in view of the fact that the tenant farmers are the principal breeders of horses, an effective representation of the tenant class will be appointed on the Board of Trustees; and, whether the Rules for the administration of the Fund will be placed in the hands of Members before the Vote for the sum required is asked for?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)

The £5,000 assigned to the encouragement of horse and cattle breeding in Ireland will, if voted by the House, be paid to the Royal Dublin Society, who will act as Trustees for the administration of the Fund. The Society will, no doubt, be glad to furnish the hon. Member with all information on the subject. The general plan which will be pursued is described in the second edition of the advertisement of the Dublin Horse Show now being held at Balls Bridge, which, I am glad to hear, is likely to be a special success, in consequence of the prospect of assistance from public funds. I think the hon. Member will admit that the scheme of the Society is framed in the interest of the tenant farmers, whom this grant is, of course, specially intended to benefit.

MR. M. J. KENNY (Tyrone, Mid)

But, as far as the Royal Dublin Society is concerned, is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the tenant farmers, who are principally concerned in the breeding of horses, are totally unrepresented upon that Body?

MR. GOSCHEN

I do not know how that may be; but I am perfectly certain that the Royal Dublin Society will do their best for the encouragement of horse breeding among the tenant farmers of Ireland. Local Committees will be appointed, to whom all questions will be referred; and on those Local Committees I trust the tenant farmers will be represented.

In reply to further Questions,

MR. GOSCHEN

said, he would consult with the Chief Secretary; but he was perfectly certain that to benefit the tenant farmers would be the desire of all concerned. The only object of the grant was to benefit horse-breeding in Ireland. There would be a special Estimate for the amount; and he trusted that hon. Members would support the grant, which was very greatly needed.