§ Mr. HUGH BARRIEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether a sum of £7,500 was apportioned by the Department for the providing of an agricultural college for the north-western counties of Londonderry, Tyrone, and Donegal; whether the Tyrone Agricultural Committee had since expressed a preference for a local institute; and would the Department consult the three agricultural committees concerned before sanctioning any change of the original and larger scheme?
The VICE-PRESIDENT of the DEPARTMENT of AGRICULTURE (IRELAND) (Mr. T. W. Russell)The Department, with the concurrence of the Agricultural Board, apportioned a sum of £7,500 for the purposes of an agricultural school in county Tyrone, intended to serve the needs of the north-west of Ulster. The proposal was subsequently modified, and the present scheme contemplates the establishment of a farmers' institute, (including agricultural education of a non-residential character), to be situated at Strabane, this neighbourhood having been decided upon expressly to meet the requirements of county Derry and county Donegal. The Department are confident that the three counties concerned will cordially co-operate in taking full advantage of the educational facilities thus to be provided.