§ Captain REDMONDasked the Vice President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether his attention has been called to the great decline in the, number of pigs in Ireland, whereby the numbers have decreased since 1911 by over 400,000; and, in view of the great falling off, whether the Government will consider the advisability of giving a special grant, to be ear-marked, for the purpose of increasing pig production in Ireland, and thereby help save this important Irish industry from ruin?
§ Mr. H. T. BARRIEThe Department are aware of the decline in the number of pigs in Ireland, but it is not apparent in what respects a special grant could assist850W in stimulating breeding. The most essential requirement at the moment would appear to be an immediate increase in the importation of maize into Ireland for pig feeding purposes, and the Department have made representations to this effect to the Wheat Commission.