§ Mr. VINCENT KENNEDYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he has received a resolution from the members of the Cavan and Longford branch of the Irish Creamery Managers' Association protesting against the Department of Agriculture in any way attempting to reduce the small Grant given towards fostering the Irish creamery butter industry; is he aware that this would most adversely affect a great food-producing industry; and will he in the circumstances have this whole matter care-fully considered with a view to increasing this particular Grant?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Department have received a copy of the resolution in question. Owing to the shrinkage of their funds in consequence of the War, the Department have not at their disposal sufficient Grants to cover their schemes for the current year. They have accordingly been obliged to reduce the amount allocated from their Endowment Fund to various schemes, including that for improving the butter industry. This course was decided upon with the concurrence of the Agricultural Board. In the circumstances the Department regret that they are not at present in a position to promise any increase