§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the low prices recently obtainable in the London markets for Irish butter as compared with Danish and other butters, and to what might he attribute this fall in price; and, having regard to the fact that the Irish agriculturist has suffered, and will suffer, by such lack of demand for that one product, which is their mainstay, will inquiries be made and steps taken to push forward the sale of that commodity, which has always been equal in its quality and flavour to the butter of any other country?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. The recent prices for Irish butter in London, though not up to the abnormal figures realised for Danish butter, have been higher than in previous years. There are admittedly many causes in operation unfavourable to the dairying industry in 198 Ireland, but the Department of Agriculture are doing everything in their power to correct such evils as exist. In addition to a large staff of instructors in dairying and butter-making in Ireland, they have a staff in Great Britain whose duties include the promotion of the interests of the Irish butter trade.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTCan the right hon. Gentleman say what the causes are which are so inimicable to the dairying industry in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not think I could do that under ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.