§ 38. Mr. GINNELLasked the Vice-President of Agriculture (Ireland) what the Department propose to do in those cases in which they undertook to supply seed potatoes which they are now unable to supply; and why, in these circumstances an offer of 500 tons of seed potatoes to the Department has not been even acknowledged?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture have arranged for the supply of all the potatoes ordered by rural district councils in connection with approved loan schemes. The greater portion of the potatoes have been supplied, and a very large quantity distributed to the applicants. It is expected that the remainder will be dispatched this week. The Department received from a gentleman in Mullingar an offer to sell them 500 tons of potatoes which, on inquiry, it was found he did not hold.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYWhy is not the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture here to answer these questions? We have not seen him in the House this Session.
§ Mr. DUKEThe Vice-President is occupied very closely indeed in matters devised to fulfil the obligations arising out of the state of agriculture in Ireland at present, but in answering his questions I take care to be in personal communication with my right hon. Friend with regard to these matters.