§ 12. Sir J. LONSDALEasked if any licences have yet been granted for the export of grass seed to neutral countries from Ireland; if applications for licences to export should be sent through the Department of Agriculture; and if the Department will do its best to facilitate the issue of licences and impress upon the Board of Trade the importance of dealing with all applications with the least possible delay?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Department do not grant licences for the exportation of grass seed. Applications for such licences should, it is understood, be addressed to 1288 the Customs authorities. The Department have reported as promptly as possible in regard to the applications referred for the Department's opinion.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEDo I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that applications must in the first instance be sent to the Board of Agriculture in Ireland, or to the Board of Trade?
§ Mr. RUSSELLApplications must be made to the Special Branch of the Board of Trade. My right hon. Friend said yesterday that these applications would be forwarded to the Board of Trade for report. That has been done. I may add that I, personally, on Monday, waited upon the Commissioners in charge of this work and received from them the assurance that all applications for grants-would be issued at once.