§ 63. Mr. KEATINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that the small holders and working men in the vicinity of Callan, county Kilkenny, are unable to secure any further acreage for food production owing to the fact that the owners of grass lands are leasing to large graziers on the eleven months' system; and, in view of the need for increasing the food supplies for the poor in the town, he will state whether he has power to stop the practice referred to; and, if so, what steps will he take in the matter?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Duke)I am not aware of dissatisfaction among small landholders or working men in the vicinity of Callanat not being able to obtain more land for tillage, and the Local Government Board have not received any communication as to the necessity for providing allotments. I am told that the owners of several cottages in the Callan district have left their plots of land untilled.
§ Mr. FIELDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is great dissatisfaction all over Ireland in consequence of the difficulty of obtaining land for allotments owing to the Regulations that the local authorities have to administer?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Bill which I introduced and the Regulations produce no difficulties; they provide facilities.