§ 19. Mr. CLANCYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution adopted by the County Dublin Farmers' Association to the effect that, having considered the prospects of root-growing for sale in the season of 1918 at the current control prices for mangolds and turnips, they have agreed that such roots cannot be produced at such prices; that for this reason the maximum prices must be increased without further delay, as the time for sowing has now arrived; and that before any other prices are fixed such bodies as theirs should be consulted; and whether, in view of the importance of having as much land as possible under root crops, this resolution will be favourably considered immediately, so that the producers may know how they are likely to stand in the matter before the time for sowing has passed?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Food Control Committee for Ireland are in consultation with the Department of Agriculture on this matter, and will consult the County Dublin Farmers' Association before making definite recommendations to the Food Controller as to the fixing of prices for mangolds and turnips for the winter, 1918–19.