§ Mr. FIELDasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether it has been demonstrated in 1925W Sweden and Germany that paper pulp can be profitably produced from peat, and that ammonia sulphate, alcohol, paraffin candles, paving blocks, antiseptic bandages, clothing, and cattle fattening food have been obtained from the bogs in those countries; and whether, in view of the area of bog in Ireland, the Department will arrange and carry out experiments in suitable places to endeavour to utilise those potential resources of industry from the idle morasses of the country?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe Department understand that attempts were made on the Continent to manufacture paper pulp from peat, but they are not aware that these attempts have been commercially successful. The Department are aware that some of the products referred to in the question have been made from peat, either alone or in combination with other substances. Irish sphagnum moss is at present being prepared in the laboratories of the Royal College of Science, Dublin, by voluntary aid for surgical dressing purposes. Peat mull or powder is used in connection with certain cattle-feeding materials. This product is being at present made in Ireland. Owners of peat industries now at work in Ireland are fully alive to the desirability of introducing any additional branch of the peat industry which could be profitably worked on a commercial basis. As regards the Department's
1926W action in connection with the utilisation of peat, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by me to the hon. Member for Westmeath North on the 9th July, 1914, and 18th May, and 9th June, 1915.
Collections. 31st January, 1915. 31st October, 1915. In Distillers' Warehouses. In General Warehouses. In Distillers' Warehouses. In General Warehouses. Proof Gallons. Proof Gallons. Proof Gallons. Proof Gallons. Aberdeen C. — 953,461 — 997,379 Aberdeen E. 3,569,450 1,234 3,401,403 1,787 Ayr C. — 35,834 — 37,323 Campbeltown* E. 9,707,746 387,634 8,737,772 314,764 Dumfries E. 385,259 230,339 359,171 230,398 Dundee C. and E. — 749,659 — 695,579 Edinburgh E. 10,756,500 5,310,714 11,148,823 5,293,659 Elgin E. 20,027,450 1,240,855 19,344,053 1,187,432 Falkirk E. 6,773,347 340,012 6,254,330 308 476 Glasgow C. — 2,622,312 — 2,437,358 Glasgow E. 3,069,906 13,662,503 3,289,169 13,872,745 Greenock C. and E. 3,768,188 972,058 3,238,739 990,546 Inverness C. and E. 6,869,293 99,965 6,616,862 111,683 Leith C. — 2,196,273 — 2,143,096 Perth E. 2,906,053 2,537,321 2,714,769 2,284,990 Stirling E. 14,487,485 218,582 13,390,701 238,667 Other Collections C. — 57,185 — 60,446 Total 82,320,677 31,615,941 78,495,792 31,206,328 * Campbeltown Collection includes Islay and Jura. The "Other Collections C" are:—Ardrossan, Bo'ness, Burntisland, Grangemouth, Granton, and Methil.