§ Mr. Peter Fraserasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what support he is giving to research projects on flax growing; what conclusions have been reached on the evidence of the experimental growing in the last three years with regard to the viability of flax growing on a commercial scale; and if he will take steps to encourage its re-introduction as a commercial crop.
§ Mr. Adam ButlerThe Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland in conjunction with the Lambeg Industrial Research Association and the Agricultural Research Institute has been carrying out research on the use of herbicides for the desiccation of the flax crop as a method of dry retting—softening. This work indicates that there might be a possibility of re-introducing the crop to Northern Ireland as a commercial proposition but further research is required.
In the circumstances it would be premature to consider taking any steps to promote the commercial growing of flax.