§ MR. BARRIE (Londonderry, N)I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the Departmental Committee appointed to report on the provision of technical classes in agriculture for England will, before reporting, inspect the work of the kind now being carried on in Ireland under the Irish Agricultural and Technical Department.
THE TREASURER OF THE HOUSEHOLD, (Sir EDWARD STRCHEY,) Somerset, S.We shall be happy to bring the suggestion of the hon. Member to the notice of the Chairman of the Committee who will, I am sure, give it careful consideration.
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)Is the hon. baronet aware that the Irish Agricultural Department has proved of little or no practical benefit to Irish farmers?
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYI am not aware of that.
§ CAPTAIN DONELANIs the hon. baronet aware that I live in the heart of an agricultural district in Ireland and can speak with personal knowledge?
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYThe hon. Gentleman misunderstands me; my answer should have been that I have no official knowledge.
§ MR. BARRIEI beg to direct the hon. baronet's attention to the Report of the Department just issued for last year.