§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will state whether any portion of the £25,000 loan Grant for afforestation has been applied in the province of Ulster; how much of this sum has already been allocated; and will he bear in mind that county Cavan, which has been largely denuded of timber during the last ten years, is well known for its timber-growing capacity?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe entire amount of the advance of £25,000 made by the Development Commissioners for the acquisition of lands for afforestation in Ireland has already been spent or allocated for pending purchases. These purchases are confined to five districts, none of which is situated in Ulster. In county Cavan no area, fit for planting which is not required for agricultural holdings and is at the same time sufficiently large to satisfy the requirements of the Development Commissioners, has been brought to the notice of the Department. Under the annual Vote of £6,000 provided for the purchase and working of woodlands, remnants of estates dealt with under the Land Acts, the Department1278W have acquired ten areas, of which four, amounting in all to over 1,400 acres, are in Ulster. One of these areas is situated in county Cavan, namely, the Bailieboro' centre, area 404 acres.