§ 65. Major NEWMANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has seen an appeal issued by the Archbishop of San Francisco for funds to relieve the destitution in Ireland which the loss of the harvest owing to lack of hands to gather it will cause; whether, in view of the exemption of Ireland from compulsory service in the Army, he has been able to ascertain if the shortage of agricultural labour is greater in Great Britain than in Ireland; and whether he will take an early opportunity of laying upon the Table of the House a report on the present condition and outlook of Irish agriculture?
Mr. SAMUELThe reply to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the present condition of agriculture in Ireland, reports on the state of the crops are issued periodically by the Department. The figures as to live stock will be published as soon as possible after the conclusion of the census which is being taken at present. There is nothing in the reports so far to warrant any apprehension as to the harvest.
§ Major NEWMANHas this report been seen by the President of the Board of Agriculture? Is the answer in the affirmative?
§ Major NEWMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Foreign Office differ from the Home Office, and that the Foreign Office have not seen it?
Mr. SAMUELPossibly the Foreign Office may not have seen it, but the Vice-President of the Department may have.