§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the advantages and profit derived in continental countries from State forestry, and to the statement of the Secretary for India as to the forestry of India as a source of national asset and employment: and whether the Government will take up without delay the reafforestation of Ireland.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The attention of the Irish Government has been drawn to the matters referred to, and the question of afforestation in Ireland has received much Consideration. I understand that the question has conic before both the Royal Commission on Congestion and the Committee of Inquiry into the Department of Agriculture, and it would therefore seem desirable to await the Reports of both of these bodies before further considering the matter.
§ MR. FIELDTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, in the reign of William the Third, a Bill was passed making it compulsory to plant several thousands of trees annually in Ireland for twenty-one years, and that the local authorities were held responsible that this was carried into effect; and whether he will consider the advisability of re-introducing a similar measure, and provide the necessary funds from the Imperial Exchequer out of the amount due to Ireland from over-taxation and the appropriation to British purposes of the Irish Quit and Crown rents.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) It is the fact that an Act to the effect mentioned was passed in 1698 (10 Will. 3, c. 12), and I understand that during the eighteenth century some twelve further Acts on the subject were passed, but that they 829 failed to prevent a decrease of timber in Ireland. As regards the suggestion contained in the latter part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the Answer which the Secretary to the Treasury gave to his Question on this subject on 10th April, 1906. †