§ MR. JAMES HOWARDasked the First Lord of the Treasury. Whether it is the intention of the Royal Commission upon Agriculture to issue a Report of the Assistant Commissioners sent to America before the general Report of the Commission; and, if so, when such Report may be expected to be in the hands of Members? The hon. Member also asked, When it may be expected that the Royal Commission upon Agriculture will complete its work; and, whether the Report may be expected to 772 be in the hands of Members before the end of the present Session?
MR. GLADSTONESir, I need not tell my hon. Friend that I have no direct means of information with regard to the proceedings of the Commission; but I have considered it my duty to communicate with the noble Duke at the head of the Commission (the Duke of Richmond and Gordon), and he informs me that the Report from America has not yet been received by the Commission. I believe frequent engagements connected with the General Election have caused some postponement in the preparation of the Report, and I am sorry to say the indisposition of one of the Members has also caused delay. With regard to the second Question, the noble Duke informs me that the Commission is not in a position to say when it will complete its work and submit its Report to Her Majesty.