§ Mr. LUNDONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food, having regard to the desirability in the interests of the Empire of extra food being produced in Ireland this year, if he will cause inquiries to be made into the methods adopted by those responsible for the scheme and for putting in force, of the powers conferred upon them by the Food Controller; is he aware that every suggestion made by those representing agricultural Ireland was refused, and obstacles placed in the way of a successful carrying through of the scheme by those who constitute the Irish Food Committee; will he cause the latter to furnish him with the details of the schemes and at the same time consider the suggestions of the Irish Party Food Committee and other Irish bodies and see how the efforts of those who have the welfare of the people at heart have been thwarted; and, in view of the hopelessness or unwillingness of the present body to carry out the vital issues placed in their hands, will he insist upon some practical committee being formed who will carry out the Orders he has issued so that the people may not be faced with famine and starvation?
§ Mr. DUKEMy hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I answered a question of the hon. Member of similar purport on the 12th of last month. I have only to add that the suggestion in the question that the Department of Agriculture or the Advisory Committee refused to consider representations from agricultural Ireland and that obstacles were placed in the way of food production is entirely unfounded. The scheme which was decided on by the Government after consideration of all the representations made to them upon the subject shows much promise of providing a substantial increase in the output of food in Ireland.