Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the military authorities have issued an Order quite recently in the Ardee district, county Louth, prohibiting any hay from being sold until they issue a permit; and whether he is aware that this has caused injury to the farmers, inasmuch as they usually sell the hay when it is raised in cocks or lumps in the field; that they have at present many purchasers; and that loss may be sustained if this Order is retained in force and a permit not issued immediately?
§ Mr. FORSTERFor many months it has been necessary to obtain a permit before hay can be sold in Ireland. In all cases of meadow hay at the present time this is readily granted, but not in cases of seed mixtures, which will undoubtedly be required for the troops overseas.