§ Mr. DEVLINasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to the fact that foreign yarn is being used extensively for weaving in the Belfast mills, and that the working of this yarn is injurious to the health of the workers who come in contact with it, the smell being offensive and sickening; and whether, in view of the damaging effect which the use of this inferior foreign yard must have on the reputation of Irish linen, as well as on the health of the workers, the Department will take some more effective steps than it has yet done to encourage the cultivation of flax-growing in Ireland?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLA certain class of foreign yarn is being imported into Belfast, but the Department are not aware that the smell of this yarn is injurious to health. If such be the case it would appear to be a matter for the consideration of the sanitary authority. The question as to what further measures can best be taken to encourage the growing of flax in Ireland is engaging attention.