HC Deb 27 March 1907 vol 171 cc1820-1
MR. MURRAY MACDONALD (Falkirk Burghs)

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland why Scotland is excluded from the terms of reference to the newly-appointed Departmental Committee on Agricultural Education; and whether he will use his influence with the President of the Board of Agriculture to have those terms widened so as to embrace Scotland.

MR. GULLAND (Dumfries Burghs)

At the same time may I ask the Secretary for Scotland, in view of the fact that agricultural education is necessary to the success of small holdings, why Scotland has not been included in the terms of reference to the Departmental Committee on Agricultural Education.

MR. SINCLAIR

In Answer to these Questions, I have to state that, in view of the recent establishment and marked success of the Agricultural Colleges at Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen, and of the organisation which they are developing for bringing home to farmers in all parts of their districts the latest results of scientific research on the subject of agriculture, such an inquiry as that proposed does not seem to be necessary at present in the case of Scotland.

MR. PIRIE (Aberdeen, N.)

I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland why Scotland has been excluded from the terms of reference of the Committee on Agricultural Education; and whether he intends to appoint an independent committee on agricultural education in Scotland.

MR. SINCLAIR

I have to refer the hon. Member to the terms of my Answer to-day to Questions on this subject by the hon. Members for the Falkirk and Dumfries Burghs. I do not think it necessary at present to appoint an independent committee for Scotland.