§ MR. PATRICK A. M'HUGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he can state the amount of public money now given for agriculture in Ireland through the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council, the Agricultural Department of the Land Commission, the Royal Dublin Society, the Agricultural Department under the Commissioners of National Education, and for the collection of agricultural statistics by the Registrar General; and, if he can state the cost of the Board of Agriculture for England?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe total expenditure of public money for agricultural purposes amounted to about £82,000 in the last financial year. The approximate net expenditure by the English Board of Agriculture for the year 1895–6, including payments to Ireland, amounted to £73,500. This includes an exceptional expenditure of £3,000 in obtaining a return of agricultural holdings.
§ MR. PATRICK A. M'HUGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he can say when he can introduce his Bill for the establishment of a Board of Agriculture in Ireland?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have already within the past fortnight replied to two Questions identical with that now put by the hon. Member. The Bill for the establishment of a Board of Agriculture in Ireland is nearly ready, and whether it will be possible to introduce it during the present Session will depend 1725 on the state of public business. According to present appearances, there is not very much chance of its being introduced.