§ Mr. DUFFYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the attention of his Department has been directed to the discovery on the Persse estate, Roxburgh, Loughrea, of a seam of coal; whether samples of the coal have been received by the Department for examination; and whether he will bring the matter to the notice of the Commission at present engaged in Ireland in investigating the mineral resources of the country?
§ Mr. RUSSELLYes, Sir. Arrangements have been made for a mineral expert to inspect the district early next week and to report to the Department of Agriculture on the matter. In the concluding portion of the question I presume the hon. Member refers to a branch of the Ministry of Munitions recently established to deal with the examination and development of mineral properties likely to be of special value for the purpose of war. If so, I am informed that coal and iron are excluded from its purview.