§ MR. BENNETTI beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if the Board will direct all county councils to make a full report on every application and to state in detail the reasons why any particular application is rejected.
§ * SIR EDWARD STRACHEYThe President does not think that any useful purpose would be served by adopting this suggestion. Full inquiry is made into every specific complaint that is received.
§ MR. BENNETTBut how does the Board know the number of applications rejected?
§ * SIR EDWARD STRACHEYA report is made to the Board on all applications, whether approved or disapproved.
§ EARL WINTERTONIs it not the fact that the county council has quite as much knowledge of the nature of the application as the Board of Agriculture?
§ * SIR EDWARD STRACHEYNaturally it has local and detailed knowledge.
§ MR. MORRELLHave not the Commissioners reported that county councils take in many cases a very narrow view?
§ MR. BENNETTAnd is it not the fact?
§ * MR. SPEAKERI think hon. Members are rather exceeding their rights.
§ MR. BENNETTI beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as 1222 representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if, in view of the fact that the Board has only received copies of 2,360 applications out of 20,000 applications made to the county councils, the Board will issue instructions to county councils to forward immediately copies of all applications received.
§ * SIR EDWARD STRACHEYThe Board are unable to adopt the suggestion of my hon. friend, as it would place a great deal of additional work on county councils and on the Board without any corresponding advantage being gained. The Board are, however, in continuous communication with the county councils and do obtain any information they require from them as occasion arises.
§ MR. MACKARNESS (Berkshire, Newbury)Will the Board instruct the county councils to give the reasons in all cases for rejecting applications?
§ * SIR EDWARD STRACHEYYes, Sir.