§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S. E.)I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that agricultural prices are now lower, and prospects are more hopeless than they were at the time of the Queen's Speech, he will re-consider his determination not to move for a Committee to inquire into the causes of agricultural depression, even though a day might be occupied by a Debate on agriculture?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEI am not able to re-consider that determination; at the same time, I am unwilling to meet the question of the hon. Gentleman, with whose objects I entirely sympathise, with a direct negative. I hope, however, that hon. Gentlemen opposite will use their influence with the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Sleaford (Mr. Chaplin) to remove his objection; and when the main obstacle has been removed, the Government will be happy to meet hon. Members in any way they can.
MR. J. LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)I wish to put a question arising out of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman. Has it been brought to the right hon. Gentleman's notice that there is a very general disinclination on the part of representative persons connected with the agricultural community to have anything to do with this inquiry?
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONEIt has not been brought under my notice, and is not in accordance with my impression. There are hon. Members on the other side of the House who desire that the inquiry shall go forward, and it is to them that I have addressed my reply.
§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a knot of hon. Gentlemen sitting above the Gangway have declared their intention to forbid all Business after 12 o'clock.
§ [No answer was given.]