§ SIR J. LUBBOCK (London University)asked whether the Government proposed to establish a Board or School of Forestry, in accordance with the unanimous Resolutions of a Committee of this House and of the Associated. Chamber of Commerce?
§ *THE FIRST LORD of THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH,) Strand, WestminsterThe Government fully recognize the importance of the subject, and it will, I think, be their duty through the new Board of Agriculture, if we are fortunate enough in the course of the present Session to pass the Bill creating that Department, to take steps, 17 if we can see our way to do so, to carry out the Resolutions of the Committee.
§ MR. MUNRO FERGUSON (Leith, &c.)I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, seeing that the prospect of establishing a Minister of Agriculture may be somewhat remote, and that the question of forestry is distinct from that of agriculture, he will not consider the possibility of dealing with the establishment of a School of Forestry apart from the Minister of Agriculture?
§ *MR. W. H. SMITHLooking to the business we have to do, and the slow progress made with our work, I am afraid I cannot undertake to make such a proposal as the hon. Member suggests.