Captain DON ELAN (for Mr. Flynn)asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting of the Cork butter market trustees on the 18th instant, calling attention to Sub-section (a) Clause 1, of the Development and Road Improvement Bill of the Government, and expressing apprehension as to the danger of public moneys being advanced to organisation societies which are trading in direct competition with private traders; and, in view of recent experiences in Ireland, what steps the Department proposes to take in regard to this Sub-section?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Cherry)The Vice-President has received a copy of the Resolution referred to in the question; and is of opinion that the legitimate interests of the private trader are not endangered by the Clause as it stands.
§ Mr. FLAVINMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that grants-in-aid have been given in the past and may be given under this Bill again to organisations who are neither manufacturers of manures nor seeds, and who compete against those who are legitimate manufacturers and pay rates?
§ Mr. CHERRYI must ask for notice of that. I cannot undertake to answer a question of that kind offhand.