§ 60. Mr. ROYCEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he has received a report of a fire at Holbeach where a large portion of the 1918 crop of flax grown in Lincoln shire was destroyed; whether the Board instituted an inquiry into the cause of the fire, and, if so, with what result; what was the cost to the Board of the flax destroyed; and whether steps are being taken to prevent a recurrence of fires in relation to the crop now feeing harvested.
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Careful inquiry was instituted, but the cause of the fire has not been ascertained. The cost to the Board of the flax destroyed 1908 was about £6,000. All possible precautions are being taken to prevent a recurrence to the crop now being gathered.