§ Mr. FIELDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the proposal made last season to enable a greater supply of turf for the use of urban communities will be reconsidered and measures taken to hare the scheme carried into effect?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Department of Agriculture have made every effort to induce the rural population to cut more turf. A certain proportion of the turf is sold in the neighbouring towns. The general question of utilisation of peat as a source of fuel supply for urban communities is a difficult one, and is, I am told, under consideration by the Fuel Research Board. The Director of Cross-Channel Transportation has issued circulars to corporations, urban district councils, rural district councils, and other public bodies, calling attention to the serious position of the coal supplies and the importance of providing turf as a substitute, and I hope that steps will be taken to economise coal consumption and to develop local supplies of Fuel as far as possible.