§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is prepared to recommend that a lower rate of interest than the 3½ per cent. mentioned shall be payable to the Board of Works under the Seed Potatoes Supply (Ireland) Bill.
MR. BRYCEThe rate of interest, namely 3½ per cent., provided for in the Seed Potatoes Supply (Ireland) Bill, was fixed when the loans were advanced as being the lowest rate at which the loans could be made without loss. I may, however, remind the hon. Member that the Department of Agriculture has made a grant in aid of these seed supply operations which will cover the interest on all the loans nearly twice over.