§ Sir T. ESMONDEasked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Messrs. Davis, of Enniscorthy, and other millers throughout Ireland, have to buy large quantities of first-crop hay for their horses to enable them to deliver flour and feeding-stuffs to their customers; that so far they have been unable to buy hay by reason of the War Office Regulations; and, in view of the small quantity of Irish hay required by the Government, if he will take steps to enable Irish millers and traders generally to procure their customary hay supplies with as little delay as possible?
§ Mr. FORSTERAll prime first-crop hay is required for overseas shipment and will therefore not be available for home consumption, but the Department has been busily engaged for the past three weeks in releasing upland and other meadow hay for civil use, and large quantities are now available in county Wexford.