§ Mr. P. WHITEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether the Department 2048W of Agriculture and the Advisory Committee received an application from a local body that part of the ranch of Cruicetown, county Meath, should be given for tillage to small holders and protesting against it being given in large tracts to extensive landholders; and what action has or will be taken?
§ Mr. DUKESuch a resolution was received by the Department of Agriculture. The occupier of the land is, I am informed, complying with the Defence of the Realm Regulations as regards compulsory tillage.
§ Mr. WHITEasked whether, having regard to the need for conacre land for food-producing purposes, such as milk, corn, and potatoes, in the neighbourhood of the Wade estate, Clonabraney, county Meath, the Estates Commissioners will make an appeal to the patriotism of the present grazing tenant, Mr. Wilson, to release the lands in order that they may be used to avert hunger next winter?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Estates Commissioners are themselves cultivating such portion of the lands on this estate as they consider desirable.
§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that farmers in the Cahirciveen district have increased their tillage in response to the public appeal made to them, but owing to the restriction of the output of artificial manures to 75 per cent. of last year's output, they are unable to obtain the necessary manures; what steps are now being taken to render available for these farmers the necessary amount of manures, without which the extra tillage undertaken will be of no avail; and whether he can name a date on which the necessary extra supplies will be supplied to the Cahirciveen and other merchants?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture are aware that the supply of artificial manures is not sufficient to meet the demand, owing to the restriction of imports. The matter is receiving close attention, but it is impossible to name an exact date for the supply of particular demands.
§ Mr. WHITEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, having regard to the fact that there are willing and competent tillers of land in North Meath, he will now give the hon, Member for the constituency a list of the defaulters and 2049W the acreage in order that the full complement prescribed may be utilised for food-producing purposes?
§ Mr. DUKEI am informed that in all cases in which the Department of Agriculture find it necessary to enter on the land of an owner for failure to comply with the compulsory Tillage Regulations the circumstances are made public. The action proposed in the question is therefore unnecessary.