§ Mr. O'MALLEYasked the Chief Secretary whether, owing to the failure of the potato crop in the Carna district, Connemara, county Galway, last year, and to the necessity in consequence for good seed for this year's sowing, he will recommend the Irish Agricultural Department, who have promised a loan for this purpose on satisfactory security which is forthcoming, to purchase the best seed and undertake the work of its distribution and the collection of the loan?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Department of Agriculture are prepared to inspect seed and see that only suitable seed is supplied, but they cannot undertake to purchase seed. They will, however, assist by supplying names of reliable seed merchants. They are not prepared to undertake the distribution of the seed nor the collection from each farmer of the cost of the seed.