§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the statistics for 1901 show that the acreage under crops in Ireland have fallen off by 10,887 Acres; and that 12,402 acres less of barley and 10,887 acres less of wheat were grown in 1901 than in 1900; whether the Government have any remedy in view to prevent a similar increase of permanent pasture land, amounting to 34,236 acres in 1901, occurring in future years; and whether he is aware that ownership and occupation has encouraged land cultivation on the Continent.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIt is true that the acreage under the principal cereal crops in Ireland was less in 1901 than in the previous year; the estimated yield of some of these crops, notably oats barley and potatoes, was, however, greater. Flax, I am also glad to observe, shows an increase both in acreage and yield. The increase in permanent pasture in 1901 as compared with 1900 amounted to 2,927 acres; the figures quoted in the second paragraph represent a decennial increase. I cannot deal with the other matters referred to by way of reply to a Question.