§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will specify the special measures, if any, taken by the Government to prevent a food famine arising from the partial failure of the potato and other crops, excessive exportation of food, increased cost of living, and the almost entire absence of that increased expenditure of public money which the people of Great Britain enjoy?
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§ Mr. DUKEThere is not, as I am advised, the prospect of famine which the hon. Member suggests, though the yield of the potato crop is unfortunately below the average. Control of the export of potatoes is being taken, and the measures of food control which are being applied to Great Britain will be extended to Ireland in so far as they are properly applicable. There is also a considerable, and I think increasing expenditure in Ireland, from the public exchequer.
§ Captain DONELANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that shipments of potatoes from Ireland still continue apparently unchecked; and will he say when he proposes to give effect to the resolution unanimously passed at the last meeting of the Irish Council of Agriculture, with a view to restrict the exportation of potatoes from Ireland?
§ Mr. RUSSELLAn Order on this subject is in course of issue.