§ 23. Mr. CLANCYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Irish Department of Agriculture has more than once earnestly impressed on the Irish farmers the advisability, and even necessity, of spraying in the case of growing crops of potatoes; whether, in view of this advice, the rural district council of Balrothery, county Dublin, which has borrowed a considerable sum of money to provide the necessary seed for the tenants of their cottages and other small landholders, proposed to expend the balance of the loan, amounting to about £50, on the purchase of spraying machines and materials, but were informed that they could not legally do so without the consent of the Treasury; and whether he will see that that consent will be obtained, and so help in saving the expected crop from the danger of destruction?
§ Mr. DUKEArrangements have been made whereby the Department of Agriculture, with the co-operation of the Local Government Board, will sanction necessary means of help in cases such as that mentioned in the question.