§ 55. Mr. GINNELLasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the average annual value of livestock exported from Ireland to Great Britain during the last fifteen years, and what percentage of Ireland's whole export trade this constitutes; and when he proposes to convene a meeting of the Agricultural Council to consider the changes rendered necessary by the power, now demonstrated, of a British Minister to destroy this trade?
§ Mr. RUSSELLOfficial particulars for the period of fifteen years are not available. The first year for which the figures showing the whole export trade of Ireland were collected was 1904. The average annual value of the exports of livestock from Ireland to Great Britain during the eight years 1904–11, inclusive, is estimated at £14,197,000 in round numbers, and amounts to 24.4 per cent. of the average annual value of all exports from Ireland during the same period of eight years. The half-yearly meeting of the Council of Agriculture will be held next month.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYHas the right hon. Gentleman got the imports of stock?
§ Mr. RUSSELLNo, Sir, I have not them, and they are not asked for in the question, but I can easily supply them to the hon. and learned Gentleman.