HC Deb 12 March 1917 vol 91 cc726-7W
Mr. LUNDON

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will give the name of the inspector who is doing the work of the Irish Food Committee in county Limerick; whether several parties in this country are being served with notices under penalty to carry out the scheme; and, if so, will he give the names of such parties so that it may be known whether they represent the ranching owners, who in many cases have openly boasted that they will not carry out any Order?

Mr. DUKE

Inspections in connection with the compulsory tillage schemes are not arranged by counties, and the Department of Agriculture are not in a position to furnish the name of the officer or officers to whom, in the ordinary course, duties in a particular county may be assigned. A number of notices have been served on occupiers of farms of various sizes in county Limerick, as in other counties, warning them of the necessity of complying with the provisions of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. It is not at present proposed to publish the names of persons upon whom these notices have been served.

Mr. LUNDON

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will now give the names of those who have been appointed inspectors under the Irish food production scheme; and what their duties are?

Mr. DUKE

As stated in my reply to: the hon. Member on the 15th ultimo, it is not proposed to publish the names of the inspectors appointed in connection with the food production scheme. The duties? of the inspectors are to visit the holdings of occupiers who have claimed exemption from the Defence of the Realm Regulations in respect of increased tillage, and to report upon the facts as ascertained by them in such cases. Other inspectors have duties in connection with the inspection of seed potatoes, oats, etc.