HC Deb 06 May 1907 vol 173 c1310
MR. C. B. HARMSWORTH (Worcestershire, Droitwich)

To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, having regard to the fact that the total State grant for the encouragement and development of agriculture and fisheries in Great Britain is less than the 850th part of the estimated national expenditure for the financial year 1907–8, he will take steps to secure an increase in the amount of the said grant.

(Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) We shall not hesitate to bring the claims of agriculture and fisheries under the notice of my right hon. friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer as occasion arises, but I am afraid that he would not regard the proportion which our Vote bears to the aggregate expenditure of the State as a very cogent argument.