§ Mr. E. JARDINE (for Mr. C. Bathurst)asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture (1) what is the total amount which has been applied for out of the Development Fund by the Board for various agricultural purposes in Great Britain; when and in respect of what specific purposes, other than the breeding of light horses, was such application made; and to what extent has such application been approved; (2) what steps the Board is taking in view of the insignificant amount appropriated out of national funds to purposes of agricultural research in the United Kingdom compared with that of the grants made for this purpose by other European Governments, and in view of the unanimous opinion of the leading agricultural organisations in this country that such object should be given priority in respect of grants out of the Development Fund, to secure the allocation by the Development Commissioners of an adequate portion of the fund for this purpose?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYMay I be allowed to reply at the same time to another question to be asked by the hon. Member? The Board applied in September last for a grant of £50,000 per annum from the Development Fund to enable them to aid research and to provide scientific and technical advice for agriculturists. The application has been the subject of frequent communications between the Board and the Commissioners; but no decision has as yet been arrived at. The Board have also asked for a grant of £20,000 per annum for the organisation and co-operation, with regard to which communica- 562 tions are also passing between the Board and the Commissioners.