§ MR. BOULNOIS (Marylebone, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can take any steps to prevent the face of the country being disfigured by the advertisements of vendors of quack medicines and unguents?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. H. GARDNER,) Essex, Saffron WaldenI share the 1730 views of the hon. Member with regard to the inartistic results of the practice in question; but I have no power to interfere in the matter, and I cannot say that I am surprised that owners and occupiers of agricultural lands should, under existing circumstances, be unable to resist the temptations offered to them by advertisement contractors.
§ MR. BOULNOISIf the farmers take to cultivating crops of pictorial and other advertisements, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of bringing in or supporting a Bill in order that the amenities of rural scenery may be preserved?
§ MR. H. GARDNERI am not prepared to admit that the power of the Board of Agriculture extends over the face of the country in that way, nor am I sure that such a duty would properly fall within my province.