§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how many egg inspectors are at present in the Department's service; do these inspectors visit railway and shipping depots; are any of them of military age and is there a female egg inspector; are the reports of these inspectors available to the public; and how many reports have been received from these inspectors within the last twelve months, stating in how many cases any action was taken?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThere are no inspectors in the Department's service who devote their whole time to egg inspection. Four inspectors in the course of their duties inspect or give instruction in the handling of eggs or report in connection with the transit of eggs. Two additional temporary inspectors have been employed from time to time on egg inspection at certain seasons when special inspection was necessary. Part of the work of these officers is to visit railway and shipping depots. Of the four regular inspectors referred to three are over military age. There is no female inspector. The written reports received from the inspectors are confidential documents and are not available to the public save in cases where it is considered desirable to furnish copies or extracts for the information of packers or shippers concerned. In addition, large numbers of verbal reports are made by the inspectors. In view of the short notice given by the hon. Member, it is impossible 1739W to tell how many separate written reports have been received by the Department from their inspectors during the last twelve months. Action has been taken thereon in every instance where, in the Department's opinion, it was called for.