HC Deb 29 August 1887 vol 320 cc259-61
MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the grant to the Dublin Society for the improvement of horse breeding, How is it proposed to select the farmers who are to have the benefit of the grant; whether he is aware that the Society is controlled entirely by landlords; and, what precautions have been taken for securing to Nationalists and members of the League their fair proportion of the grant?

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

The administration of the grant for horse and cattle breeding in Ireland has been left by the Government in the hands of the Royal Dublin Society, in whose impartiality they have entire confidence. The selection of the farmers who are to have the benefit will be left to the Local Committees. Nominations are restricted to tenant farmers of, or under, £200 valuation. It will be an instruction to each Local Committee to give a preference, ceteris paribus, to the smaller holders. The tenant-farming class will be represented on the Local Committees; and I have no reason to suppose that political considerations will enter into the matter in any way.

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

said, the prizes had been already allocated by the Royal Dublin Society; and, considering the rapidity with which the awards had been made, it would be impossible for them to consult the Local Committees.

MR. GOSCHEN

said, he was not aware of the facts mentioned; but he would make inquiries. This Question, he might remark, should rather be addressed to the Irish Government, matters of finance only coming under his cognizance.

MR. M. J. KENNY

said, he would call attention to the matter on the Irish Estimates.

In reply to Mr. Cox (Clare, E.),

MR. GOSCHEN

said, all the tenant farmers of Ireland would have a chance of benefiting under this scheme.

MR. T. M. HEALY

said, he understood that the horses had already been selected. He wished to ask the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Ireland, who, he understood, was a member of the Council of the Royal Dublin Society, who would nominate the Local Committees?

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

said, the allocation was made at the Horse Show; and in respect to the question about the Committees, he must ask the hon. Gentleman to give Notice.

MR. T. M. HEALY

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman be able to answer the matter soon? because I presume the Estimates will be on this week.

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

I will make inquiries at once.