Mr. HORNERasked whether the Local Government Board for Ireland intend to extend the Regulations contained in the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops (Ireland) Order, 1908, to the premises of all farmers who manufacture butter for sale; and, if so, will the Local Government Board, before issuing any further Order, consult with the several county agricultural committees and leading agricultural show committees in Ireland as to the air space, size, and general requirements of cowsheds?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board do not propose to extend the Order in the manner indicated in the question.
Mr. HORNERasked how many rural district councils there are in Ireland; in how many of these is the Dairies, Cowsheds, and Milkshops (Ireland) Order, 1908, in operation; whether he has any official information showing that the chief reason why the Order is not now in operation in all the rural district councils is because of the impracticable requirements of the Order so far as it relates to cowsheds; and whether, having regard to the fact that so many of the local authorities refuse to put the Order into operation, the 256 Local Government Board will alter or modify the Order so as to meet all reasonable objections by the local authorities?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThere are 213 district councils in Ireland, of which 129 have put the Order into operation. Its requirements have not, therefore, been found to be impracticable. The Local Government Board consulted the Department of Agriculture and invited criticisms and suggestions from local authorities before issuing the Order, and there is consequently no need for further revision.