HC Deb 12 July 1916 vol 84 cc304-5
8. Mr. GINNELL

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has obtained and will make available to those interested in the promotion of peat industries in Ireland after the War any of the information frequently asked regarding the working of such industries in other countries, especially in Sweden, the nature of the bogs, conditions of labour, number employed, processes, cost of Anrep and other machinery, output, facilities of transit, value, and financial results for the latest period for which these are available; if not, whether any deputation is being sent to Sweden to study those things there; and, if not, whether facilities will be afforded to private inquirers to go to Sweden for this purpose?

Lord R. CECIL

As I informed the Hon. Member on 23rd March, this matter cannot be inquired into at this moment by officials who are already most heavily burdened by the extra work entailed by the War; but inquiries will certainly be made after the termination of hostilities. So far as I am aware no deputation is being sent to Sweden to study the question, but if any competent and properly accredited private individuals wish to go there for this purpose His Majesty's Minister at Stockholm will, of course, afford them all proper assistance.