§ Mr. KEATINGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the serious shortage of food supplies in Ireland, he will consider the question of dividing the grazing ranches into allotments to enable the working classes to provide home-grown food for themselves?
§ Mr. DUKEI would refer to the replies given to the questions of the hon. Member for North Westmeath on the 22nd and 23rd March last, and of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin on the 12th October. I may add that the Estates Commissioners have already distributed 309,856 acres of untenanted lands in the creation of new holdings or the enlargement of existing holdings under the Irish Land Acts, 1903–9. This area includes 18,000 acres distributed since the outbreak of war. These figures are exclusive of untenanted land acquired by the Congested1246W Districts Board for the purpose of distribution in the portion of the country within their jurisdiction.