asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the National Stud is being maintained in the Irish Free State during the war; to what extent the activities of this establishment contribute to the development of horses suitable for use on farms in Great Britain; and whether arrangements can now be made to transfer this establishment to the United Kingdom?

There is at present no intention of closing down the National Stud at Tully, County Kildare, Eire, or of transferring it to this country. The activities of the National Stud, which consist in the breeding of high class thoroughbreds and thus contribute to the improvement of the light horse, are not intended to assist the development of horses suitable for use on farms.