§ Mr. KENNEDYasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) how many horses have been purchased by his Department in connection. with food production; is he aware that £280,000 have been spent on horses alone in England and Wales; and what facilities are provided by his Department for supplying the labour shortage in tractors, men, and horses in Ireland?
§ Mr. DUKENo horses have been purchased by the Department of Agriculture in connection with the food production scheme, except those required on their 2239W own farms. The Department have no information as to the amount expended on the purchase of horses for this purpose in England and Wales. During last spring farmers in Ireland who required horses were placed in communication with dealers who had horses for sale, and arrangements were made with the military authorities to allow Army horses to be lent to farmers for short periods. Any further similar action which may be considered necessary will be duly taken. At present there is an Order in force prohibiting the export of horses from Ireland, except under licence, so as to secure that a sufficient supply of agricultural horses shall be available for the requirements of the extra tillage. As regards agricultural labour, the Department of Agriculture made arrangements in the early spring for the supply of agricultural labourers from the migratory districts, and this work has been continued by the Irish National Service Department. The Department have facilitated, as far as possible, the bringing of tractors into Ireland, and for a period they took over the responsibility for their distribution, with a view to ensuring that they were used to the best advantage. I believe over 300 tractors are now at work in Ireland. Loans have been made for the purchase of tractors, and special courses of instruction for tractor drivers and ploughmen have been provided.