§ Mr. LARDNERasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received the resolution passed by the Monaghan Urban District Council in reference to the threatened shortage of milk in urban areas in Ireland, and whether the Government have taken any steps to give effect to the proposal outlined in this resolution for the purpose of accommodation land adjacent to urban districts; and, if not, whether he will state what steps the Irish Government proposes to take in order to obviate the injury to health which will follow from any shortage in the milk supply consequent on the reduction in the number of cattle in Ireland?
§ Mr. DUKEI have received the resolution referred to. As to the alleged shortage of milk, I would refer to an answer I gave on the 12th June to the hon. Member for the Harbour Division of Dublin. As to the suggestion of the urban district council that cow pasturage should be provided, I will repeat what I told the hon. Member for North-West Meath some time since, namely, that
I should be glad if the land available for cow pasture were increased. I doubt whether the ratepayers would be ready to accept the responsibility of the cost. If there were such readiness generally evidenced, I would have a Bill drafted for the purpose.