§ MR. HAVILAND BURKETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether tenders for the erection of the tobacco barn near Tullamore, as proposed by the Agriculture and Industries Department, have been invited by advertisement in the local Press; whether any tender has been accepted, and, if so, who is the contractor and what is the amount of the tender; upon whose estate will the building be erected, and will it be fitted with steam-heating plant for curing the tobacco leaf; and whether he can state the estimated cost of the King's County experiments and the number of acres of land to be acquired for tobacco growing.
608 (Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) Tenders were not invited by advertisements in the local Press, but a few contractors were asked to submit estimates. The tender of Messrs. T. P. and R. Goodbody was accepted, the amount being £625. The barn will be erected on the farm of Messrs. P. and G. Richardson, Mullacrew, Tullamore. The system of heating has not yet been decided on. It is estimated that the cost to the Department of the experiment will not exceed £1,000. Ten acres will be utilised for the purpose.