HC Deb 23 November 1917 vol 99 cc1527-8
1. Mr. BYRNE

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the quantity of barley grown in Ireland for the 1913,1914,1915,1916,and 1917?

Sir THOMAS RUSSELL (Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland)

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a Table showing the extent and estimated produce of the barley crop in Ireland in the years mentioned. The following is the Table above referred to:

Year. Extent. Estimated Produce.
Acres. Cwts.
1913 172,948 3,430,362
1914 172,289 3,460,018
1915 141,586 2,522,084
1916 150,063 2,801,711
1917 177,135 3,311,000.
The figure showing the estimated produce for 1917 is subject to revision.

Mr. FIELD

Will any of this increased produce be available for the distillers or the brewers in order that there may be food for the cows in the shape of grains?

Sir T. RUSSELL

The duty of the Department is to see to the production of food, but its distribution rests with the Food Controller.