§ 37. Sir JOHN LONSDALEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he has any further information as to supplies of flax seed being obtained from Russia and Holland for this year's sowing in Ireland; and what steps his Department are taking to ensure a sufficient supply of seed at a reasonable price?
§ Sir HARRY VERNEYI have been asked by my right hon. Friend to reply to this question. The Department are not in a position to make any further statement regarding the importation of flax seed from Russia, beyond that contained in the replies given to the hon. Member on the 8th and 11th instant. It is understood that the acreage under flax in Holland is likely to be re- 37 duced in the current year, and that there will, consequently, be in that country a surplus of seed available for export. In these circumstances the Netherlands Government may perhaps see their way to withdraw their restrictions on the export of seed. No guarantee can be given as to the quantity of seed which will be available for sowing in Ireland in the coming season, or as to the price at which it will be offered; but there are grounds for anticipating that the supply of seed will be sufficient to prevent the prevalence of scarcity prices.