Written Answers
War
Food Supplies
Barley Cultivation (Ireland)
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that considerable areas of arable land in the Midlands and south-east of Ireland are more suitable for the growing of barley than wheat or oats; whether he is aware that much of this arable land is farmed under a system of rotation of crops, barley being the crop put in when the land is sown with grass seeds; whether any steps have been taken to ascertain the value of barley as human food, the percentage of flour which it would yield, and the value of the residuum for cattle feeding; whether flour millers have been consulted on the matter and with what result; and whether he can say what kind or description of barley is calculated to produce the greatest percentage of flour?
The Department of Agriculture inform me that considerable areas of arable land in the districts referred to are specially suitable for the growing of barley when conditions are normal. The statement as to the system of rotation of crops is correct, but other cereals than barley would serve as nurse crops for grass and clover seeds. Barley meal is said to be quite as nutritious for human food as the meal from any other cereals, and the percentage of flour yielded by it is approximately 60 as compared with 80 in the case of wheat. The value of the brans, etc., of barley for the purpose of cattle feeding would be about four-fifths that of similar residua in the case of wheat. So far as the Department are aware there is little difference in the yield of flour from the varieties of barley hitherto grown in Ireland. As to the other matters referred to in the question I would refer the hon. Member to the Food Controller.
Fishing Permits (County Cork)
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why John Sexton, of Toe Head, Castletownshend, county Cork, was refused a fishing permit and petrol licence by the naval authorities for the boat "Silver Heels," S. 208; if he is aware that these fishermen only require permission to fish during daylight, going out after breakfast and being in before nightfall; that the fishermen have several sons and brothers both in the Army and Navy; and if he will see that this permission is granted, as they have no other means of existence and all their capital is invested in these boats?
The issue of a permit for fishing is within the discretion of the Admiral Commanding, and is not under my control.
Petrol Supplies
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will suggest to the Petrol Committee that clergymen of all denominations in Ireland should be placed on the same footing as regards their supplies of petrol as doctors and veterinary surgeons in that country?
I am in communication with the Petrol Committee in regard to this matter.
Countess Marckiewicz
asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if he will state the nature of the charge made against the Countess Marckiewicz; if ho will allow the evidence taken at her court-martial to be published; and if the time has arrived for her release?
I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member last week.
Commissioners Of National Education (Ireland)
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Commissioners of National Education in Ireland had under consideration the Debate in this House of the 15th December last in reference to the prohibition by them of teachers appointed to the commission of the peace from adjudicating, and with what result; whether Dr. Starkie, resident Commissioner of National Education, announced at a recent meeting of the Board that certain managers of schools were opposed to teachers being appointed magistrates or adjudicating as such; and, if so, whether he will now ascertain the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to the legality of the Commissioners action in preventing teachers, under pain of withdrawal of salary, from carrying out the functions of the magistracy, to which they were appointed by the highest legal authority in Ireland, at times when their school duties would not be interfered with?
The Commissioners of National Education have had the matter under consideration. They inform me that they were unable to alter their decision. Representatives of managers of national schools appeared before the Commissioners on the 5th December, and stated that in their opinion it was not desirable that national school teachers should act as magistrates. The Law Officers of the Crown have been consulted. I am advised that no power is vested in the Lord Lieutenant to control the decision of the Commissioners.
Stewart Estate (County Donegal)
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in allotting the lands of the Stewart estate, county Donegal, the Estates Commissioners have decided to give a preference to ex-policemen and ex-soldiers who have not served in the present war; and if any of these lands have been given to anyone of either of these classes?
The Estates Commissioners have not so decided. There is one allottee who has served in the Army; and one allottee, who is occupier of a small holding on the estate, is an ex-policeman.
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will give a statement showing the persons to whom the lands of the Stewart estate, county Donegal, were allotted by the Estates Commissioners; their occupations; their qualifications; whether they hold land elsewhere, and, if so, how much; and how much of their allotments has been let by them?
It is not the practice of the Commissioners to give detailed particulars of schemes of allotment while schemes are in progress. The particulars are published according as the lands are vested in the purchasers, in the Monthly Returns of Advances which are presented to Parliament. The Estates Commissioners have no particulars of lettings made by the allottees on this estate other than those furnished in reply to a previous question, but they understand that the I only lettings made are conacre lettings for the purposes of food production.
Land Purchase (Ireland)
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Mr. W. J. Bond, D.L., has informed the Member for North Longford that he is willing to sell the lands of Coolcraff to the Estates Commissioners if he gets a fair price; whether he is aware that part of the objection to sell arises from the fact that he is required to pay off a drainage loan on the property in respect principally of the river which adjoins; and whether the Government will abate their charges in view of the importance of securing this land for division amongst the people of North Longford?
The hon. Member informed the Estates Commissioners some years ago that the owner had expressed his willingness to sell the lands mentioned in the question to the Commissioners provided he was satisfied as to price. A preliminary inspection was made and the Commissioners intimated to the owner the sum they would be prepared to advance in Guaranteed Three per Cent. Stock under the Irish Land Act, 1909, if formal proceedings were instituted for sale under the Land Purchase Acts. Up to the present the owner has not instituted such proceedings. If the lands are subject to a drainage charge it must, pursuant to the provisions of the Land Purchase Acts, be redeemed on the allocation of the purchase money.
Old Age Pensions
asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland why Denis Tully, an old labourer, only engaged in herding his brothers farm at Castlebawn, county Longford, was refused the increase of pension he was entitled to; and whether he is aware that this poor man was and still is absolutely dependent for subsistence on his old age pension, and that a man in such circumstances cannot live on 5s. a week at present war prices?
The Local Government Board have no information with regard to the case of Denis Tully.