§ MR. P. J. POWER (Waterford, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether loans could be made to Irish fishermen on more favourable terms than those now prevailing for the purchase and building of fishing boats, providing gear and curing establishments?
§ MR. HANBURYThe loans made by the Board of Works for these purposes out of the balance of the seacoast and Fisheries Fund remaining in the hands of that Board are made at 2½ per cent, interest, and repayable in ten years. I do not think the rate of interest too high, and the period for repayment is as long as the purposes of the loans would justify.