§ MR. T. FRY (Darlington)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if there is any truth in the following statement, which has been received by telegram from Achill, namely—
Government potatoes rotting after setting, Inspector took quantity to Dublin Castle to show Under Secretary;and, if so, what course he intends to pursue in reference to such an important statement?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Member must be aware that the Government have not supplied any seed potatoes to this district. They are supplied by the Guardians of the Westport Union under the Seeds Act, and the failure has been produced in consequence of what is called " heating."
§ MR. T. FRYDid not Mr. Inspector Pringle make a representation as to the badness of the potatoes, independent of the heating?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURYes; I believe the Inspector made a representation to the Guardians.
§ MR. T. FRYDid he make a representation to the Government as well as-to the Guardians?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware; but he ought to have done so.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)How is it that the Government potatoes are more given to heating than others?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThere are no? Government potatoes.
§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he (or the Local Government Board) has received! any communications respecting the-rumoured failure of the seed potatoes; imported and supplied through the-Skibbereen Union; and who was the-Inspector employed by the Government to examine and pass the seed supplied in that district? I also beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that, at the last meeting of the Bandon (County Cork) Board of Guardians, several Guardians complained that the seed potatoes supplied through the medium of the Union already showed symptoms of failure; and, if so, will the Irish Government inquire into the matter without delay?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have received no information beyond the newspaper extract which the hon. Member has been good enough to send me. I will cause inquiries to be made.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Gentleman had better give notice of that question.