HC Deb 23 November 1911 vol 31 cc1377-8
Mr. C. BATHURST

asked who are the persons who at present constitute the Board of Agriculture?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The Board consists of the President, the Lord President of the Council, His Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, the First Commissioner of the Treasury, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and the Secretary for Scotland.

Sir RANDOLF BAKER

If a separate Board of Agriculture is set up for Ireland will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of removing the Secretary of State for Scotland and replacing him by another English Minister?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

That could only be done by legislation.

Mr. STANIER

Has the Board of Agriculture sat as a Board?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Yes, Sir, it sits every day.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean on the Front Government Bench?

Mr. C. BATHURST

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture under what several headings of departmental expenditure the unexpended surpluses have arisen which have for the last five years been repaid to the Treasury?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to refer him to the annual Appropriation Accounts, which show under each sub-head of the Vote the amount of the variations between the Grant and the expenditure, with an explanation of their cause in each case.

Mr. C. BATHURST

asked whether the support given by the Board to the Government's proposal to constitute a separate Board of Agriculture for Scotland, with separate administration of the Contagious Diseases of Animals Acts, indicated the approval of the permanent officials and expert advisers of his Department or merely that of the Board as defined by statute?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

It is not for the permanent officials and expert advisers of any Public Department to approve or disapprove of the policy or proposals of the Government. Their business is to carry it out to the utmost of their power.

Viscount HELMSLEY

Does that mean simply that the views of the permanent officials will not be taken?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Of course they are taken and duly considered and weighed.

MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

May I ask what the opinion of the right hon. Gentleman himself is?

MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

asked the Prime Minister if he will state what reduction will be made in the salary of the President of the Board of Agriculture when he is relieved of administering agricultural affairs in Scotland?

The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)

No, Sir.

MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

Then I am not incorrect in assuming that in order to arrive at the true expense of the proposed new Scottish Board one should add a proportion of the present salary of the British Minister for Agriculture which he gets—

Mr. SPEAKER

Will the Noble Lord kindly hand that question in?