HC Deb 30 November 1911 vol 32 cc571-2
Mr. HAYDEN

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is now in a position to give any information as to the decision of the Department in regard to the application of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society to the Development Commissioners for a grant in aid of their work; and whether he can state generally what is the position of the Department on this matter?

The VICE-PRESIDENT of the DEPARTMENT of AGRICULTURE for IRELAND (Mr. T. W. Russell)

As indicated in my reply to the hon. Member for East Wicklow on 30th October, the question of the application of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society for a grant from the Development Fund was brought by me before the Council of Agriculture at its meeting on 16th instant. As the hon. Member is aware, the council is one of the statutory advisory bodies of the Department; ninety out of 103 members were present. A resolution was proposed recommending that funds in aid of co-operative organisation in Ireland should be applied through the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society. The following amendment to this resolution was, after prolonged consideration, carried by forty-seven votes to thirty-three:— That this council approves of the report made by the Department to the Development Commission regarding the application of the Irish Agricultural Organisation Society, and recommends that any money available for agricultural co-operation should be given to the Department and administered by them. The Department, in accordance with this recommendation by the council, hope to submit shortly for the consideration of the Development Commissioners a scheme for the carrying out by the Department of various branches of non-controversial co-operation.

Mr. HAYDEN

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any indication as to the proportion of nominated to elected members present, and how they voted in the division?

Mr. RUSSELL

There were forty-two votes for the amendment—thirty-seven elected votes and five nominated votes. With regard to the resolution, I think there were seventeen elected votes and sixteen nominated votes.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why he describes Sir Horace Plunkett's movement as a controversial organisation?

Mr. RUSSELL

Yes, Sir. The definition of controversial and non-controversial co-operation in Ireland is this. We consider non-controversial co-operation to be that form which does not bring us into conflict and competition with the ordinary traders of the country.

Mr. MILDMAY

Are they prepared to endorse the right hon. Gentleman's view that this organisation is controversial?

Mr. RUSSELL

I can only appeal to the vote of the Council of Agriculture, which was almost entirely composed of farmers elected by the county councils. That vote, at all events, is final for the Department, and I cannot go beyond if, and if I had the desire I would not.