§ SIR R. PAGET (Somerset, Wells)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Board of Agriculture have carefully considered the supreme importance, in the interest of agriculture as well as in the interests of the. manufacturers and vendors of fertilisers and feeding stuffs, of appointing, as chief agricultural analyst, under the provisions of "The Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1893," a specially skilled person of wide experience and approved capacity, whose decisions on the difficult questions submitted to him would be likely to command general confidence; if he can inform the House when such an appointment will be made; and on what terms as to remuneration under Section 4, and as to payment of fees under Section 5, Sub-section 4, of the above-mentioned Act?
§ The following questions on the same subject which appeared on the Paper were answered at the same time:—
§ MR. A. CROSS (Glasgow, Camlachie)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has yet resolved on the appointment to be made to the important office of chief analyst under the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act; and whether, considering the injustice and ruinous consequences that may arise from erroneous or even inaccurate reports by the chief analyst, and the fact that the most special experience are requisite to qualify for such a post, and to give the Reports by the chief analyst real value in the public opinion, he is resolved to make an appointment from amongst such of the leading agricultural chemists as at present are enjoying the public confidence as experienced referees in such analyses?
§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether an appointment has yet been made of a chief analyst to the Board under "The Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1893;" and whether, in making this appointment, regard will be had to the generally expressed opinions, both of agriculturists and of representatives of the trade, that practical experience in analysing agricultural fertilisers and feeding stuffs is an essential qualification?
§ MR. H. GARDNERIn reply to the hon. Baronet and to my hon. Friends the Members for Northamptonshire and the Camlachie Division who have also placed Questions on the Paper bearing on the same subject, I would say that no appointment has as yet been made to the office of chief agricultural analyst, nor have the remuneration to be assigned to him and the fees to be paid under Section 5 of the Act been definitely settled by the Treasury. With regard to all those matters, I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury; and although I am not yet in a position to say what the arrangements will be, we shall certainly give the fullest consideration to the representations we have received on the subject. It would certainly be my hope that we may be able to make such arrangements as may give confidence to the various classes concerned, and ensure the success of an Act for which I am so largely responsible.
§ SIR R. PAGETWhat is the cause of the delay in arriving at a conclusion?
§ MR. H. GARDNERThe matter requires some consideration before an appointment can be made. As I have said, I am in communication with the Treasury on the subject.
§ SIR R. PAGETHas the right hon. Gentleman considered the necessity of paying such a salary that the analyst shall not be allowed to take private practice?
§ MR. H. GARDNERI pointed out in my answer that I am aware of the circumstances of the case, and I hope an arrangement will be made that will be satisfactory to all classes.
§ MR. H. CHAPLIN (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)Are we to understand that the responsibility for the delay rests 1361 with the Treasury or with the Board of Agriculture?
§ MR. H. GARDNERThat is a question I am not called upon to answer.