asked the Minister for Lands if he will state the number and area of separate holdings in the possession of the Land Commission which are being utilised for the purpose of conacre or let for grazing on the 11 months' system or otherwise; and whether he will be prepared to transfer to local co-operative societies of small holders and landless men the utilisation of such holdings during the present period of food shortage.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Land Commission Holdings.
Mr. Corish
The information sought by the Deputy is not available in the form requested and its extraction would not justify the time and labour which would be necessary to secure it. While lands remain on the hands of the Land Commission pending final allotment, they are let for grazing or tillage, usually to local small holders and often to the parties for whom they are intended on division. The food production requirements of the Compulsory Tillage Orders have been more than complied with so far as the arable lands on hands each year are concerned and no advantage would result from their transfer to co-operative societies.