MR. THOMAS ODONNELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the value of foreign bacon, beef, and mutton imported into Ireland during the year 1905.
MR. BRYCEThe particulars for the year 1905 are not yet available. It is estimated by the Department of Agriculture that in the year 1904 the value of the articles mentioned imported into Ireland were, approximately, as follows:—Bacon and hams, £1,035,000; beef, £80,000; mutton, £22,000. It is possible that, in addition, certain quantities of bacon, beef, and mutton were shipped into the country under the general heading of "provisions." The figures given represent imports both from foreign countries direct and from Great Britain. It is impossible, however, to determine accurately the amount of these imports which is of foreign origin, because many of the imports into Ireland from foreign countries come l>y way of Great Britain.