34. Mr. WHITEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the general grounds upon which exemption from 10 per cent, tillage on farms will be granted; and if it is intended to exempt all lands hitherto let at £4 and upwards per acre on the eleven months' system?
§ Mr. DUKEFull particulars as to the classes of holdings which will be exempted under the compulsory tillage scheme were published by the Department of Agriculture last month in the daily Press. These particulars are also contained in a pamphlet, "Food Production, 1917," which has 259 been extensively circulated throughout Ireland by the Department. The answer to the concluding part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill the burden of deciding this question rest upon inspectors of the Board of Agriculture in Dublin or on the local agricultural committee?
§ Mr. DUKECare will be taken first to ascertain the facts. If the facts are simple, no doubt the decision will be upon the report of the inspector. If the facts are not simple, it will be considered by the Department with the help of the local committee.