§ MR. GINNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the criticism at the last meeting of the Council of Agriculture, oh the encouragement given by the Department of Agriculture to grazing as against tillage; and whether he will consider favourably the introduction of a short Bill next session to make the Council of Agriculture representative of the public interest and endow it with power.
MR. BRYCEI am informed that at the last meeting of the Council of Agriculture only one or two Members suggested that more encouragement was being given to pastoral agriculture than to tillage, and such was not the general trend of the discussion. The Department entirely repudiate the charge that they favour either at the expense of the other. Two-thirds of the Council of Agriculture are at present elected. Pending the Report of the Committee which is inquiring into the constitution and working of the Department, I can make no statement as to possible future legislation.