89. Mr. WILLIAM ARCHER REDMONDasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to the Report made by Mr. Lyburn, mineral expert to the Department, in regard to the coalfield at Coalisland, in the county Tyrone, and to his statement that there is an abundant supply of good household coal to the extent of 63,000,000 tons and that in his belief the mines are perfectly workable; and whether, in view of these statements, he will say whether any portion of the income of his Department will be devoted towards the development, of' this industry?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. The estimate of the Department's mineral expert as to the probable amount of coal that could be made available is as 821 stated in the question. The Department cannot devote any portion of their funds for the purpose mentioned.