§ MR. FFRENCHTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that farmers' profits in Ireland are considerably reduced, as there is a decreasing demand for malting barley and other cereals used in the production of genuine Irish pot-still whisky owing to the substitution by whisky blenders of patent spirit distilled from cheap foreign commodities for genuine Irish pot-still whisky; and whether the Government will come to the relief of Irish farmers by taking steps to stop this practice.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) There is no direct evidence that farmers' profits are reduced as stated. The matter is engaging, however, the attention of the Department of Agriculture, which will take such action as may appear to be required in order to protect, as far as possible, the interests of Irish growers of cereals used in the production of genuine Irish whisky.