§ Mr. AINSWORTHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture how many arbiters have been appointed by the Board in cases arising under the Agricultural Holdings (Scotland) Act, 1908, since that Act came into force; whether in any case exception had been taken to such appointments by any of the parties concerned; and on what principle the Board proceeded in making appointments?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Edward Strachey)Forty-nine appointments have been made. Exception has been taken to such appointments in one case only, on the ground that the arbiter was not familiar with the class of sheep to be valued, but the Board after inquiry were satisfied that it was not well founded. It is the practice of the Board to make careful inquiry as to the professional qualifications of any gentleman whose desire for employment is submitted to them, either directly or indirectly. In the event of the inquiry being satisfactory, the name is placed on a list, from which a selection is made as occasion arises.
§ Mr. AINSWORTHHas the hon. Gentleman had any complaints as to valuations that have been made?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI am not aware of any.
MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINEMay I ask if it is the case that recently, in Ayrshire, a well-known expert in Ayrshire dairy cows was chosen by the Board of Agriculture to arbitrate in cases of black-faced sheep, a class of stock in which he is not an expert, and that caused irritation to farmers?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI will inquire into that.