§ MR. HALPIN (Clare, W.)I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether there are any special arrangements made so that milk may be carried safely and expeditiously from milk-producing districts in Ireland to the cities and large towns in England, in view of the fact that the Government allows butter and beef to be imported free from lands that pay no rent; and will it give every facility to Irish farmers, who have a heavier burden than they can bear in the present rents for land, to send their milk to England.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLThe Department learn that milk is at present sent in small quantities from some dairying
† See (4)Debates, clxxvi., 485–6.341 districts in Munster and Ulster to London, Manchester, and a few other centres in Great Britain. The traffic is conveyed by passenger train or other similar quick service at special rates and under regulations prescribed by the railways for the purpose of ensuring safety in transit and delivery. The Department have not received any complaint as to the inadequate facilities or unreasonable rates for this description of traffic.
§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)Has the attention of the hon. Gentleman been directed to the complaints of delay by railway companies in distribution of Irish produce?
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLIf any complaints come before me they shall be investigated.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLThat is not my Department.