§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, how great is the area of land in Ireland under tobacco cultivation; and if there are applications for leave to extend the area; and whether there is any objection to this extension.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BRYCE,) Aberdeen, S.During the past season tobacco was grown on seventy-seven and a half acres by persons who were granted the necessary authority by the Board of Inland Revenue on the recommendation of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction. Applications were also received from other persons, some of whom applied for permission to grow tobacco over a large area; but as the original concession had been granted solely for experimental purposes and as the area already under cultivation was adequate for these purposes, His Majesty's Government did not feel able to assent to any development of these experiments upon a larger area.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the opinion of many experts the area now under cultivation is not sufficient to carry out the experiments fully, and will he consider the advisability of extending the area if applications are made by responsible persons?
§ MR. BRYCEExtending very much the present area is a question which touches revenue and should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDThen I will ask the Prime Minister if he will consult the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and see whether it is possible to extend the area—in view of the fact that the very least we expect from a Liberal Government is to be allowed to grow tobacco in Ireland.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN, Stirling Burghs)I do not know how I come into it. My hon. friend had better address his Question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer. A first-hand Answer is better than mine would be.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDThe right hon. Gentleman comes into it because I rely upon his good nature.