§ 27. Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether, when the rated 958 occupier fails to cultivate the prescribed 10 per cent, of Ms holding and the Department enters thereon, it will, in dealing with the land, consult the local authority as to its want in the interest of the labourers and landless men in the district?
§ Mr. DUKEI am assured that whenever the Department of Agriculture consider it necessary to enter upon the land of an occupier who fails to comply with the Defence of the Realm Regulations for Compulsory tillage, the circumstances of the locality will be duly taken into consideration.
§ 28. Mr. P. WHITEasked whether, under the tillage scheme, it will be possible for county and district councils to acquire and hire out motor ploughs to co-operative societies or small owners who have not the means to purchase them?
§ Mr. DUKELoans in connection with the food production scheme for the purchase of farm implements (including motor tractors and ploughs) may be granted to agricultural associations and co-operative societies as well as to individuals. Accordingly no additional powers have been proposed for local authorities.