§ 90. Mr. FFRENCHasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether he is aware that the Elliot mixture for putting land under grass contains a large proportion of deep-rooting grasses and other deep-rooting plants that aerate, fertilise, drain, and improve the physical condition of the soil as well as giving good meadows and good pasture; if he has any official Reports showing that such a mixture is not well suited for a stiff clay soil; and whether the Department will make experiments with this mixture if they have not done so already?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe answer to the first part of this question is in the affirmative. The Department are informed that the mixture gives good pasture, but that in case of meadow or hay it is difficult to save or winnow. The Department are experimenting with this mixture. They are advised that it is unsuitable for clay soils.
§ 91. Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked whether the restrictions under the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Act have been removed from county Cavan; is there any restriction still in force affecting the holding of the annual fair in Swanlinbar; and what exactly is the effect of the restriction if such there be?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe restrictions were removed from the greater portion of the previous scheduled district in counties Fermanagh and Leitrim on the 21st instant. The only area now subject to restriction is that known as the prohibited area round the infected places, which embraces a small part of county Cavan, including Swanlinbar. Movement of animals out of this area is prohibited, and consequently the holding of a fair at Swanlinbar, at which animals would be purchased for movement out of the area, is not practicable at present.
§ Mr. KENNEDYCannot the right hon. Gentleman himself inquire of the authorities whether this particular fair could be held? And will he let me have a copy of the answer he has given me?
§ Mr. RUSSELLCertainly. The Department has no desire to maintain these prohibitions a moment longer than they are deemed to be necessary. This is a very small prohibition, but the veterinary 822 officer thinks it necessary. It will be removed as soon as possible.
§ Mr. KENNEDYWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question? Did he not wire to the authorities that they could hold their fair, and will he now send me a copy of the answer that I can wire to them and put them right?
§ Mr. RUSSELLI informed the hon. Member it would be possible, but I was a little too hasty in that. I was not aware that Swanlinbar was within this small area. It turns out that it is within the area and therefore it is impossible for some time yet to hold the fair.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYAs there has been no case of foot-and-mouth disease in this part of county Fermanagh since 5th October, will the right hon. Gentleman not allow the fair to be held, and take off the restrictions; and if he cannot see his way to do this, will he circumscribe a couple of fairs and allow the rest of the country to hold fairs and to have access to it?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe hon. Member is quite right. It is six or seven weeks since a case occurred in this district, but I am sure he will recognise that the Department, being anxious to get rid of the disease, is taking every precaution, and it is in the interest of the farmers themselves that these precautions should be taken.