§ 4. Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will say to what extent the Irish Government is co-operating with the effort now being made in this country to increase food production, especially the rate at which the distribution and re-peopling of the evicted ranches have been carried on since the outbreak of the War, as compared with the progress in previous years; how many new parcels have been vested each month since the 1st August, 1914; how much land of this class the Estates Commissioners now hold ready for distribution in time for the autumn tilling; whether they have let such land for terms hampering their freedom of action in this respect; what practical steps they are taking to acquire all such land now for distribution before next autumn, as their contribution to the increase of food production; and, if their powers are inadequate, whether he will move for emergency legislation to enlarge them?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)A Committee has been formed, with the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction in Ireland as chairman, to consider what steps can be taken to increase the production of food in that country and the question of making lands now used for grazing more productive must necessarily come before that Committee. The information asked for in the second, third and fourth parts of the hon. Member's question is not available, but I am assured that the Estates Commissioners 1314 are using all possible dispatch in the resale of lands purchased by them, and are making it a practice to recommend tillage when circumstances render that course desirable. I do not consider that there is any need to extend the powers of the Commissioners on the lines indicated by the hon. Member.