§ 6. Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary whether small holders under £10 valuation and labourers who agree with the owners of land to take portion of it in conacre from them for tillage for the year independent of any scheme formulated by the district councils are entitled, under the food regulations, to get seeds and fertilisers on loan from the district councils on the same terms as if they were included in such a scheme; and, if not, is it left to themselves to purchase seeds and fertilisers for cultivating the land without receiving any assistance, financial or otherwise, from the Department of Agriculture?
§ Mr. DUKEI am sending the hon. Member a copy of a pamphlet prepared by the Department of Agriculture, entitled "Food Production, 1917," which gives particulars as to the scheme for the provision of seeds and manure.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYIf small holders agree with the occupiers of land outside the scheme to take allotments, will the Department give facilities by giving them seed and fertilisers?
§ Mr. DUKEThat is too wide a question to admit of a general answer at the moment. The whole matter has been under consideration. I have discussed it with a Committee of Members representing the party to which the hon. Member belongs as well as other Members. The matter is being dealt with to the best judgment of the Department.