§ 41. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked whether the Board will consider the advisability of making the formation by every county council of an agricultural committee, reporting direct to the council, as distinct from an education sub-committee, a condition precedent to its receipt of Grants from the Development Fund for the various purposes of agricultural development?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI do not think it would be desirable, at any rate for the present, to make the payment of Grants subject to the condition suggested.
§ 46. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked what are the main respects in which the proposals of the Board for the co-ordination of agricultural education differ from those contained in the Sixth Report of the Rural Education Conference?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Board's proposals do not differ in essential particulars from the recommendations made in the Report to which the hon. Member refers.
§ 47. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked what proportion of the aggregate sum allocated out of the Development Fund for the various purposes of the Development and Road Improvements Fund Act, 1909, has been appropriated to purposes of agricultural research; and whether, in the opinion of the Board, such proportion is adequate?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe first part of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury. 1259 With regard to the second part, I have no complaint to make as to the amount allocated to scientific research up to the present, but I have no doubt that we shall find it necessary to ask for more as time goes on.
§ Lord BALCARRESIs not the Department of the right hon. Gentleman aware what proportion of the aggregate sum is allocated to the different services?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANOf course I am aware of the amount which has been allotted to England and Wales, but I am not responsible for the amounts allotted to Scotland and Ireland. For a full statement application should be made to the Secretary to the Treasury.