§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. BIRRELL,) Bristol, N.said the measure was on the lines of many previous Bills of the same character. Its object was to validate loans by the Board of Works to boards of guardians for the purchase of seed potatoes and seed oats for occupiers and cultivators of land in Ireland. He was happy to say that the seed purchased in Scotland and the North of Ireland had been examined by the Local Government Board inspectors before shipment. No complaint whatever had been made as to its quality, and, what was even more important, it had been sown and had produced a crop of the greatest possible promise, which beautified the landscape and excited the warmest hopes, which he trusted would be realised. Some of the potatoes had been dug and eaten, and nothing remained but to legalise what had been done. The amount advanced was £50,000. All previous loans had been scrupulously repaid to 529 the last penny, so they were not engaged in a discussion which need excite the fears of the sternest economist. Anybody, moreover, who knew anything about Ireland might rest perfectly satisfied that the loan in due course would be paid off. He hoped, therefore, the Bill would be read a second time.
§ Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House for To-morrow.—(Mr. Birrell.)