§ 81. Mr. FFRENCHasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he is aware that the trade in Irish eggs is fast becoming impossible owing to the number of breakages; whether cases containing eggs from far-off countries, such as Russia and Egypt, have far less breakages than cases shipped from Ireland; can lie say if this is due to careless handling by railway and shipping companies; and, if so, can he do anything to place the Irish trade on the same footing as the foreign trade?
§ Mr. RUSSELLComplaints of frequent breakage in consignments of Irish eggs have been received. When complaints are received the Department at once communicate with the carrying companies concerned, and every effort is made to prevent carelessness in handling. The Department's transit inspectors visit railway stations and ports and watch the handling of consignments. Statements have been made by traders in Great Britain that breakages are less frequent in the case of foreign eggs. The Department have supplied shippers of Irish eggs with specifications of standard cases, the general adoption of which should go far in securing safe transit. The Department will continue to use every effort to secure improvement in the methods of packing and handling Irish eggs.