26. Mrs. Adamsonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any estimate of the number of acres being cultivated in the counties of Kent and Essex, respectively, for flax production in the present season; and whether any special machinery is being introduced for harvesting and processing the flax for purposes connected with the production of manufactured goods?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithIn reply to the first part of the question, so for as I have been able to ascertain, contracts with 1903 farmers for the production of flax in the present season have been made in respect of 250 to 300 acres in Kent and 450 to 500 acres in Essex. The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.