§ Mr. P. MEEHANasked the Undersecretary of State for War what arrangements have been made for the purchase of Irish oats next harvest; if it is the intention of utilising the services of Irish oat buyers to purchase for the War Office; and has the remuneration to be paid to them been yet definitely fixed?
§ Mr. FORSTERThis matter is still under consideration.
§ Mr. FITZPATRICKasked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if the Government intend purchasing any part of this season's Irish hay crop for military purposes, and, if so, seeing that loss and inconvenience was caused to farmers by the storing, baling, delivery, and other 1984W arrangements in connection with last year's crop, he will instruct the Irish Forage Advisory Committee to consult with representatives of the farming interests in Ireland with a view to making the necessary modifications and alterations in the existing arrangements?
§ Mr. FORSTERIf the weather admits of its being got in sufficiently good condition to make it suitable for military requirements, some purchases of hay in Ireland will be made this year. We are not aware of any cases of loss caused to farmers through the arrangements made by the Forage Department for the handling of hay purchased in Ireland. Cases of inconvenience are bound to occur, but they have been very few, and every care has been taken to limit and minimise them. The Irish Advisory Committee of the Forage Department in Ireland will be asked to recommend any modifications or alterations (if any) they may think necessary, and these will as far as possible be adopted.