§ MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the articles of produce, the prices of which were taken as a basis for the revision of judicial rents in Ireland for 1889; whether these prices were prepared or forwarded to the Land Commission by independent scrutineers appointed for the purpose or by what officials were they prepared; and, whether the Members of the Royal Irish Constabulary were asked to furnish any information regarding the prices of stock or produce, and how this information was obtained by them?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.The Land Commissioners report that the articles of produce, the prices of which were taken as a basis for the revision of judicial rents for 1889, are as follows:—Crops.—Wheat per cwt, oats per cwt., barley per cwt., flax per stone, potatoes per cwt., hay per cwt., butter per cwt., beef per cwt., mutton per cwt., pork (fresh) per cwt., wool per lb. Cattle.—First-class one year old, first-class two years old, first-class three years old, first-class springers; second-class one year old, second-class two years old, second-class three years old, second-class 187 springers; third-class one year old, third-class two years old, third-class three years old, third-class springers. Average prices of the above three classes of cattle.—One year old, two years old, three years old, springers. Lambs.—First, second, and third classes together. The prices were obtained through the Inland Revenue officers stationed at the principal towns throughout Ireland, who furnished weekly returns founded on actual sales of the various products mentioned on the forms supplied to them; while as regards the prices of stock, gentlemen were appointed to attend the principal fairs and to furnish reports of sales at each fair. The members of the Royal Irish Constabulary were not asked to furnish any information in the matter.