§ Mr. FIELDasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how many replies and what steps have been taken by the county councils to increase the cutting and supply of turf; and whether he will introduce a sample of the improved machinery used in Continental countries to utilise peat as fuel and for other purposes and experiment for result upon a suitable Irish bog?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLIn response to the Department's circular on the subject of increasing the output of turf, a number of replies from the various county committees have been received saying that the matter will be brought before these committees at the earliest opportunity. As already stated in a reply given on the 9th instant on the subject to the hon. Member for Westmeath North, hand-made turf is so far much cheaper to manufacture in Ireland than the machine-made product. The Department do not propose to introduce machinery for the manufacture of peat fuel.