§ 64. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if, in view of the official announcement that applicants for the new research scholarships in agricultural science must be graduates of a university or holders of a diploma of a university or college of university rank, he will state what existing colleges in Great Britain are deemed by the Board to be for this purpose colleges of university rank; and whether the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester and the South-Eastern Agricultural College at Wye come within this description?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)The words quoted by the hon. Member are intended to describe in general terms the nature of the qualifications required in candidates for agricultural research scholarships. It would be undesirable to draw up an exclusive list of the institutions which would be considered to come within the category, as this might in some cases lead to the disqualification of candidates who, on their merits, might be selected for scholarships. I am not prepared to say that students of Wye or Cirencester could not be admitted as eligible for research scholarships.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable number of young gentlemen who have been educated at these various colleges, and are in doubt whether to apply, because they do not know whether they have the necessary qualification?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThey need have no compunction about applying. Their cases will all be discussed on their merits.