§ 10. Mr. J. O'CONNORasked whether it is intended to introduce a Bill legalising the proceedings hitherto taken in connection with seed supply in rural districts; and whether he will introduce a Clause into any such Bill providing that the officers engaged in connection with schemes for the supply of seed shall be paid out of the district fund such reasonable extra remuneration for their services as the Local Government Board may by 1436 Order direct, rather than that such remuneration should be added to the cost of such seed, and collected from the recipients of such seed as ordered by the circular of the Local Government Board, dated 14th February, 1917.
§ Mr. DUKEThe cost of the distribution of seed has been added to the price of the seed in all previous Seed Supply Acts. It is doubtful whether the rural district councils would be willing to charge this item of expense to the ratepayers.
§ Mr. O'CONNORWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to ascertain what would be the opinion of the rural councils?
§ Mr. LUNDONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Local Government Board for Ireland has always ignored the opinion of the local councils?