HC Deb 26 April 1901 vol 92 cc1442-3
MR. DALY (Monaghan, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say if the promised experts on flax growing have been appointed in. Ireland; and, if so, in what districts; and, if such appointments have been made, whether he can say why preferences have been given to some portions of Ireland and not to all.

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM,) Dover

Four experts have been appointed. One, an expert in scutching, is available for any part of Ireland. The other three are experts in the cultivation of flax; one of them is stationed in the county of Londonderry, and two in Down.

MR. DALY

Why have the counties of Derry and Down thus been favoured and other Ulster counties had no experts sent them?

MR. WYNDHAM

We have had great difficulty in securing the services of experts, but we hope to train Irishmen for the posts, and they will be sent to other counties.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

Where did the experts come from?

MR. WYNDHAM

Three came from abroad. We have no experts in Ireland at present, but we hope to produce some.

MR. DALY

Can you give the House the names of the experts?

MR. WYNDHAM

I have no doubt I could if I had notice, but I do not see that any great public advantage would be derived by doing so.