§ MR. VINCENT KENNEDY (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has observed the action of the International Exhibition Committee, who made it practically impossible that Irish firms should tender for the restaurant furniture; is a Government grant to be made towards this exhibition; if so, how much, and will he see that Irish labour is employed on what work still remains to be done; and further, in view of the fact that the catering contract has been secured by an English firm, will he see that Irish goods are supplied in this connection.
§ MR. BIRRELLI am informed that the Committee of the Irish International Exhibition have expressly stipulated that all supplies which can be provided at fair prices in Ireland shall be purchased at home, and that Irish labour shall be employed as far as possible. No Government grant is to be given to the Exhibition, but the Department of Agriculture and the Congested Districts Board have made grants of £2,000 and £250, respectively, for the purpose of aiding small industries to exhibit their products in the Home Industries' section, In these circumstances, and as the undertaking is of private origin, the Government would in any case have no right to interfere.