§ 30. Mr. DONNELLYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state what Grants of money have been made within the past two years for the extension of flax cultivation in Ireland, and to what bodies or persons such Grants were made, and under what conditions?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Samuels)The Department of Agriculture have given no special Grants during the last two years for the extension of flax cultivation in Ireland. The Department's ordinary flax schemes were in operation during that time, and the amount expended on these schemes was in 1917–18 £4,205, and in the current financial year £4,293. In addition to the above, the Department have expended in carrying out the Flax Seed (Ireland) Order, 1917, a sum of £5,576 in 1917–18, and a sum of £4,066 in current year. The cost of administering these Orders is borne by the Ministry of Munitions, by which the Department's expenditure is recouped. The Ministry of Munitions have spent in Ireland considerable sums of money during the past two years in controlling and improving scutching, in training apprentive scutchers, and in buying and importing flax seed for sowing purposes, but it 1116 is not expected on the latter item there will be any loss on the resale of the seed to merchants. I may also refer the hon. Member to the replies given to questions on this subject upon 31st October, 1918.