HC Deb 14 March 1917 vol 91 cc1102-3W
Mr. CRUMLEY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Enniskillen Rural District Council have passed a resolution refusing to adopt a scheme under the tillage regulations by which small landholders and labourers could obtain seeds and manures on easy terms; and what steps the Department of Agriculture are taking to have the tillage regulations complied with in the district and to have facilities afforded to small landholders and labourers to procure seeds and manures in necessitous cases?

Mr. DUKE

I am informed that the Enniskillen Rural District Council have adopted a resolution to the effect stated in the question. I assume the reason to be that the Council consider that these persons are in a position to purchase sound seed in the local markets I am in communication with the Department of Agriculture on the subject.

Mr. D. WHITE

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what are the requirements, financial or otherwise, imposed on landholders in Ireland to plough a certain proportion of their grass land; and if he will cause a copy showing these requirements in detail to be placed in the Library?

Mr. DUKE

I am sending the hon. Member copy of a pamphlet which gives the information he desires, and copy will be placed in the Library.

Mr. HAZLETON

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the representatives of F. H. Lewin, Kilshanvy estate, Parish of Kilconly, county Galway, have applied for exemption from the legal limit of tillage; whether he is aware that the tenants, most of whose holdings are under £7 in valuation, have only been offered 10 to 12 acres of inferior quality land at £4 per Irish acre; and whether he Will take any action in the matter?

Mr. DUKE

Inquiries are being made in regard to this matter.

Mr. HAZLETON

asked if the owner of the Lewin estate, Castlegrove, parish of Kilconly, county Galway, has applied for exemption from tillage; and, if so, what action has been taken or will be taken to compel the full legal limit of tillage being carried out on the property?

Mr. DUKE

The owner of the estate referred to has not applied for exemption. The Department of Agriculture will take whatever steps may be necessary.

Mr. HAZLETON

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that on the J. D. Blake estate, parish of Kilconly, county Galway, the owner has offered his tenants for tillage one of the worst fields on his property which they refused, seeing that he holds about 200 acres of grazing lands; whether the owner has applied for exemption from tillage; and whether he will be compelled to till the legal limit of land in his possession?

Mr. DUKE

The Department of Agriculture have received representations with regard to this estate. The owner has not applied for exemption, and the Department will take any steps which may be necessary to secure that the tillage Regulations are complied with.

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