HC Deb 28 February 1901 vol 90 cc77-8
MR. O'MALLEY (Galway, Connemara)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the importance of the kelp industry to the people along the coasts of the congested districts of Connemara, and in view of the conditions under which that industry has been and continues to be carried on, he will take steps to urge on the Congested Districts Board the advisability of establishing a depot in some central locality, where the industry could be carried on on a more scientific basis, to the advantage of the people engaged in it.

MR. WYNDHAM

Owing to the possibility of the importation of iodine from South America being at any time largely increased, the market for kelp, in the opinion of the Board, is an uncertain and, to some extent, an artificial one which should not be disturbed by any precipitate action of the kind suggested. The Board are, however, making inquiry as to the possibility of teaching better methods of preparing kelp.