§ 9. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked if, in view of the increasing interest throughout the country in the subject of co-operative agricultural credit banks, the Board of Agriculture will issue a printed memorandum stating succinctly the history and development of the agricultural credit movement in India, Germany, Italy, Den mark, Sweden, and Ireland, respectively?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANSeeing that, less than a year ago, the International Institute at Rome published an outline of the European co-operative credit systems, which gives the information desired by the hon. Member, it seems unnecessary to repeat the labour of compilation. As regards the development of the credit movement in India, an article on the subject will shortly be published in the Board's Journal.
§ Mr. BATHURSTWill the right hon. Gentleman circulate the Italian memorandum?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI shall be glad to send a copy of the memoradum to the hon. Gentleman or to any other Gentleman who asks for it.
§ Mr. BATHURSTWill the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to inform the public, who are likely to make use of them, of the contents of the memorandum?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI will consider the point.
§ 10. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked if the promised scheme for obtaining loans for co-operative agricultural credit associations from the large joint stock banks is based upon, or in consonance with, the report and recommendations of the special commissioner of the Board who lately con ducted an investigation on its behalf into the systems of agricultural credit in operation in Germany; and whether such com missioner has been consulted by the Board prior to framing the above scheme?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe negotiations with the joint stock banks, which have resulted in the arrangement announced, were commenced some time ago, and were not based upon the report referred to, which I have not yet had an opportunity of examining fully. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.