§ Sir THOMAS ESMONDEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), if he will favourably consider, with a view to participation in the Grant, of the proposal of the Rev. J. Sweetman, of Mount St. Benedict, Gorey, county Wexford, to grow tobacco from Belgian seed to the extent of ten acres statute, and allow him to treat it in accordance with the Belgian method, and to find his own market for it?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe production and marketing of tobacco on the lines indicated in the question would not constitute an experiment for which a Grant could be allowed under the scheme recently approved by the Development Commissioners. Licences to grow and to manufacture tobacco are granted by the Excise authorities, and not by the Department. The Department are not in a position to state whether the proposed method of treating tobacco would conform with the Excise Regulations for the growing and manufacturing of tobacco in Ireland. It is suggested that questions on this point should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.