§ Mr. KILBRIDEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that considerable areas of arable land in the Midlands and south-east of Ireland are more suitable for the growing of barley than wheat or oats; whether he is aware that much of this arable land is farmed under a system of rotation of crops, barley being the crop put in when the land is sown with grass seeds; whether any steps have been taken to ascertain the value of barley as human food, the percentage of flour which it would yield, and the value of the residuum for cattle feeding; whether flour millers have been consulted on the matter and with what result; and whether he can say what kind or description of barley is calculated to produce the greatest percentage of flour?
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§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture inform me that considerable areas of arable land in the districts referred to are specially suitable for the growing of barley when conditions are normal. The statement as to the system of rotation of crops is correct, but other cereals than barley would serve as nurse crops for grass and clover seeds. Barley meal is said to be quite as nutritious for human food as the meal from any other cereals, and the percentage of flour yielded by it is approximately 60 as compared with 80 in the case of wheat. The value of the brans, etc., of barley for the purpose of cattle feeding would be about four-fifths that of similar residua in the case of wheat. So far as the Department are aware there is little difference in the yield of flour from the varieties of barley hitherto grown in Ireland. As to the other matters referred to in the question I would refer the hon. Member to the Food Controller.