§ MR. DAVID MORGAN (Essex, Walthamstow)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can furnish particulars as to the arrangements made for the experimental growing of tobacco in Ireland; and if such experimental growing will be carried on in different parts of Ireland, so that reliable trials may be made on a fairly large area of ground, in four or five different localities, thus enabling an opinion to be formed as to the results in different districts.
§ MR. WYNDHAMIn 1900, 1901, and 1902 experiments under the supervision of the Department were undertaken at a number of selected centres in Ireland, the results of which have satisfied the Department that the tobacco plant can be successfully cultivated in that country. In order, however, to determine the possible commercial value to the country of tobacco cultivation, arrangements were made for the growing of the crop on about twenty acres in the vicinity of Navan during the present year. Until the Department has satisfied itself with respect to the actual financial result, it will not be in a position to consider the question of the initiation of similar experiments elsewhere.
§ MR. FLAVINHas it been brought to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman that tobacco was successfully grown in Tralee. Why have not the Department experimented in more than one county?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI think my Answer covers that ground.