§ MR. JAMES HOWARDasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Whether his attention has been directed to the Reports on the Agricultural Departments of Foreign Countries (No. 9), issued last week?
§ MR. R. H. PAGETasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Whether he will be good enough to obtain details of the Scientific Schools and Experimental Farms referred to in the Report on Foreign Agricultural Departments recently issued; and, whether he will, from time to time, publish, as part of the ordinary business of the Agricultural Department over which he presides, any information so received which may appear to be of practical value to the agricultural interests of the United Kingdom?
§ MR. DODSON,in reply, said, he did not understand that the Royal Society for Agricultural Economy in Denmark occupied the same position or discharged the same functions as those eminent Societies, the Royal Agricultural Society of England, or Ireland, or the Highland Society of Scotland. As at present advised, he did not think it would be for the advantage cither of the country or of those eminent Societies to connect those Societies with a Government Department in the manner proposed. They had several Reports and documents relating to this matter which he proposed to place in the Library of the House for the inspection of the hon. Member, or Gentlemen interested in the question. With regard to a somewhat 1277 similar Question put by the hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. R. Paget), the Department would be glad at any time to publish any matter which appeared to be of practical value to the agricultural community.