§ 18. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps are being taken to establish mills in the South of Ireland to deal with the flax grown this year; whether he is aware that the carriage alone to Belfast would be £12,000, which sum would nearly pay interest on double the capital required; and whether, as the industry offers such promise, he will see that the necessary assistance is given?
§ 59. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a Grant of £1,280,000 has been made to the English Board of Agriculture to encourage the growth of flax in England, and a guarantee of £600,000 to flax spinners in Belfast; whether he is aware that in the South of Ireland flax has been grown in increasing quantities during the past three years, and would become an important industry if facilities were available for deseeding, retting, and scutching; whether he is aware that this year 4,000 tons of flax must be taken from the South to Belfast to be dealt with, meaning a cost of £12,000 for carriage alone; and whether, under all those circumstances, 2855 he will consider the desirability of making a substantial Grant for establishing factories in suitable centres in the South of Ireland?
§ Mr. SHORTTI would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to his previous questions on this subject on 31st October and to the reply to the question of the hon. Member for South Derry on 7th August last.