§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the industrial concerns for preserving fruit and vegetables, commenced some two years 361 ago by the Department of Agriculture in Drogheda and Portadown, have been closed; and, if so, why has not the experiment of these concerns been carried on for a longer period; whether he can state the expenditure and income respectively of these two enterprises, detailing their respective expenditure for salaries, rents, wages, machinery, materials, and produce purchased, cost of experimental crops, and other expenses incurred; and also of the income received, detailing the several classes of goods sold, and the average price obtained, and the total. amount realised for each description, with the value realised for the crops produced; and, if the machinery and implements have been sold, setting out the cost of same and the amount for which they were sold in each case.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) I have not yet completed my inquiries into the various matters referred to in this Question, and will thank the hon. Member to postpone it until Monday next.