§ 83. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture what is the present interpretation of a farm institute towards the expenses of which Development Fund Grants are shortly to be made available to local authorities by the Board; and whether it necessarily involves the provision of buildings, either presently or ultimately?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)A farm institute is intended to be an institution which, in addition to providing courses of instruction in agricultural subjects suitable for the district in which it is situated, shall also serve as a headquarters for one or more members of the staff of agricultural instructors employed in local peripatetic work. In cases in which buildings suitable for the purposes of an institute are not available it is contemplated that they must ultimately be provided either by single counties or by groups of counties.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that the recent circular on the subject to the local authorities does not make this absolutely clear?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIt is very difficult to make it absolutely clear. Every individual case will be considered by the Board, and if the hon. Gentleman will bring any case to my notice it will be inquired into.