§ MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he has been informed that a resolution was passed by the Wexford County Council condemning the wholesale destruction of woods in Ireland; and whether he would consider the question of introducing a Bill for the re-afforesting of that country.
§ * MR. PLUNKETTWith the permission of my right hon. friend I will reply to this question. The resolution referred to has been received, and, as regards the suggested introduction of a Bill for the purpose of re-afforestation, I may remind the hon. Member that by the Agriculture and Technical Instruction Act of last year the duty is imposed upon the new department of considering the question of forestry with a view to its improvement and development.