Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDasked the Chief Secretary if he can now state the sum allocated by the Development Commission this year for the promotion of forestry in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Development Commissioners have recommended that advances, not exceeding £25,000 in all, may be made from the Development Fund from time to time as required for the purchase of areas in Ireland available for afforestation. These advances are to be made under certain conditions which are at present the subject of correspondence between the Treasury and the Department of Agriculture. A sum of £17,000 has been inserted in the Estimate for 1911–12 for this purpose.