§ MR. HUGH LAW (Donegal W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that at the cooperage of the Congested Districts Board, situate at Burton-port, County Donegal, the charge for barrels to fish curers is 4s. 3d. each, whilst similar barrels are sold by private firms in Scotland at from 3s. 3d. to 3s. 6d.; and whether he can state the cause of this difference in price.
(Answer.) The selling price for barrels at Burtonport is correctly stated. They can probably be purchased at a lower rate in Scotland, where they are generally made by machinery. But at Burtonport they are hand-made, the object of the Board in establishing the industry there being to impart instruction in barrel making to persons in the locality. Moreover, the freight of materials to Donegal would be higher than to Scotland.—(Irish Office.)