asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture whether he is aware that the British Government proposes to make available a sum of £1,000,000 to develop the marketing of agricultural produce from the Dominions; whether any estimate has been made as to the portion of this sum which will be allotted to the Saorstát, and whether any scheme for its expenditure has yet been framed.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DOMINIONS PRODUCE (GRANT FOR MARKETING).
The British Prime Minister, in a statement to the House of Commons on 17th December last, indicated that it was the intention of the British Government to devote £1,000,000 per annum for the development of markets in the United Kingdom for the products of the Dominions; he also stated that an Imperial Economic Committee was being set up to consider how this development might best be achieved, and that the first subjects to which it was desired the attention of the Committee should be given were meat and fruit.
The Committee, on which Saorstát Eireann will be represented, has not yet met and, accordingly, the allocation of the sum referred to does not appear to arise at the moment.
Will the Minister keep a watchful eye on this matter to see that we get our fair share of any money that may be given?
Mr. HOGAN
Certainly.
Would the Minister not prefer to be self-reliant in this matter?
Mr. HOGAN
I do not understand the question.
The proposition which the Minister does not understand is this: That instead of relying on the resources of the country to advertise the country's produce in other markets we should look to the taxpayers of other countries to subsidise the sale of Irish produce in the English markets?
Mr. HOGAN
I still do not understand the Deputy's question.