§ 35. Mr. CLANCYasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the resolution of protest passed by the County Dublin Farmers' Association against the practice of the agents of the War Office in the purchase of hay in that county; whether the price paid for hay in that county is nearly a third under the market price, although it is notorious that rents have been fixed in the metropolitan county on a scale much higher than usual 1781 on the ground of proximity to the metropolitan markets; and, if so, whether he will cause a proper price to be paid in future?
§ Mr. FORSTERNo, Sir, my attention has not been called to the resolution referred to. The price paid for hay in the county of Dublin is that approved by a representative body specially called together by the Irish Department of Agriculture. It appears also to be in agreement with the market price on the Dublin market, as hay has quite recently been acquired by the Department on the Dublin market at the price which is being paid elsewhere in the county of Dublin.
§ 40. Mr. PETOasked whether he can state the daily wage paid to men employed to cut and truss hay purchased for the War Office in the Southern Command and the rate usually paid by farmers for the same service; whether hay after it has been cut out is always either promptly used or protected from the weather; and, if not, if he will take some steps in this matter to avoid the waste of public money in future?
§ Mr. FORSTERMen employed in cutting and trussing hay purchased by the War Office are paid 4s. 6d. per ton with an additional 6d. per ton to cover their lodgings in cases where men are employed away from their homes. This is the usual Tate paid for this form of labour throughout the country. Where the Department is responsible for protecting hay from the weather after it is cut or where the hay has to be stacked waiting delivery to the nearest station or other place required, sheets are provided for the purpose of protection.
§ Mr. PETOIs the hon. Gentleman aware whether the sheets provided are used, and whether, as I have been informed, in some cases six months' hay has been left out quite unprotected from the weather?
§ Mr. FORSTERIf sheets are provided, I cannot see any reason why they are not used. If my hon. Friend will give particulars of any case which he has in mind, I will make inquiries.