§ MR. FLYNNI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the serious and damaging effect on the harvest in Ireland owing to the heavy continuous rains, and to the fact that the potato blight in a virulent form has appeared in many districts; and, if so, will the Local Government Board set inquiry on foot as to the effect of the potato disease in the poorer and more distressed districts of the country, and take steps to cope with any distress which may arise?
MR. J. MORLEYThe Reports received from the Inspectors of the Local Government Board show that down to the middle of July the crops everywhere 1247 promised well, but the recent and continued heavy rains have been very unfavourable to the hay and potato crop, and the latest Reports show that blight has made its appearance in some parts of the West and South of Ireland. Up to the present the disease has not gone far, though a further continuance of the wet weather would cause it to spread. I am glad to learn that there has been a marked improvement in the price of sheep and cattle at recent fairs in the west, especially in the smaller class of cattle. The Inspectors of the Local Government Board have been instructed to keep the Board informed as to the state of the crops and the condition of the poorer classes, but it will not be possible to form an accurate estimate of the potato harvest until the main crop is dug in October.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOUR (Manchester, E.)At one time experiments were made with a view of dealing with the disease and stopping it in its early stages. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will say whether the Government has turned their attention to the practicability of continuing those experiments on an extensive scale.
MR. J. MORLEYThe Land Commission conducted a series of experiments, and the Government are doing what they can to have those experiments extended and the results of them made available.