§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will introduce a Bill to amend the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1893, as far as Ireland is concerned, so that the analyses of artificial manures be stamped on the bags, so much of nitrogen, potash, and phosphates, the use of all other terms to be prohibited; that it be compulsory on the merchant to sell to a policeman or officer authorised to take samples by the Department of Agriculture or county committees of agriculture and technical instruction: that samples be taken by a sampling pale or spear; and that, as regards feeding stuffs, merchants be obliged to give an analysis of the exact composition, and any departure therefrom to constitute an offenee.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The Department has under consideration the question of an amendment of this Act, so far as it applies to Ireland. Before finally deciding as to the nature of any amendment, it proposes to avail itself of the conclusions which may be arrived at by the Departmental Committee appointed by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries to inquire into the working of the Act in Treat Britain, as much of the evidence given before that Committee will no doubt be also applicable to the circumstances of Ireland.