§ 25. Major NEWMANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether owners of land capable of cultivation are, under a recent Tillage Order, compelled to place under cultivation at least 20 per cent. of their holding; whether, as a result, about 1,500,000 extra acres will be under cultivation this year as compared with 1916; and will he say how many inspectors are now in the employment of his Board to see that this Tillage Order is duly complied with?
§ Mr. SAMUELSOccupiers of holdings of not less than 10 acres of arable land are required by the Tillage (Ireland) General Order, 1918, made under the Corn Production Act, 1917, subject to certain specified exceptions, to cultivate in 1918 15 per cent. of their land in addition to the area cultivated in 1916. In the case of holdings of not less than 200 acres of Arable land, occupiers are required by the Tillage (Ireland) (Larger Holdings) Order, dated the 1st February, 1918, to cultivate an additional 5 per cent., making a total addition of 20 per cent. No occupier, however, is required to cultivate more 1082 than 50 per cent. of his arable land. It is hoped that the area under tillage in 1918 in Ireland will exceed that of 1916 by approximately 1,500,000 acres. The number of inspectors employed to see that these Orders are carried out is forty-nine.