HC Deb 18 June 1912 vol 39 cc1478-9
34. Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the nature and scope of the newly established Horticultural Department of the Board of Agriculture; whether it will include within its ambit market gardens, hop gardens, farm orchards, and intensively cultivated small holdings and allotments; who will be the chief official in special charge of this Department, and of what will his staff consist; and what proportion of the present revenue of the Board is it proposed to allocate to it?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)

The duties of the new Horticultural branch will embrace all sections of the horticultural industry. The head of the branch will be Mr. A. G. L. Rogers. Mr. Rogers will have the assistance of an entomological expert, eight other expert outdoor officers with various technical qualifications, and an adequate clerical staff. As agriculture and horticulture have many interests in common, it is not possible to state what proportion of the revenue of the Board will be allocated exclusively to horticulture.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain what he means by all branches of horticulture? Will it include market gardens, hop gardens, farm orchards, and intensively cultivated small holdings and allotments?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I said all sections of horticulture, and that would include the various branches of the industry mentioned by the hon. Gentleman in his question.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Will small holdings come under the new Department of Horticulture?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

It depends on the size of the holding. If it is entirely devoted to market gardening, of course it will come in.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Do I understands depends on the size of the holding and not on the nature of the holding?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

It must depend on the size of the holding. All the circumstances of the case must be taken into consideration.

Lord CLAUD HAMILTON

Who is Mr. Rogers? What are his qualifications for the post he is about to occupy?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

If the Noble Lord will put down a question as to the special qualifications of Mr. Rogers, I will answer it.