§ 82. Mr. MacVEAGHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can ascertain if any, and, if so, what Govern- 896 ment Department has given any financial guarantee to any body or company in Ireland in respect of flax growing; and whether it is proposed to distribute any such guarantee equitably over all the counties in Ireland?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo financial guarantee has been given to any body or company in Ireland respecting flax growing by any Department of the Irish Government, but I understand that two bodies have received guarantees from other Government Departments.
§ 83. Mr. MacVEAGHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if any action has been taken by the Irish Government with a view to the establishment of scutch-mills and setting machinery in the South and West of Ireland in order to avoid the present waste of money and wagons in transit?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe Department of Agriculture are prepared to grant loans for the erection of scutch-mills in suitable cases where sufficient scutching facilities are not already available in the district. Such loans have already been granted in both Munster and Connaught. No machinery is required for retting.