§ 63. Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked whether there is any practical farmer, other than Mr. H. Jones Davies, at present on the Development Commission; and, if so, who is he?
§ Mr. MASTERMANMr. Jones Davies is, I believe, the only member of the Development Commission whose business is farming. The Chairman of the Commission and Mr. Hall have considerable practical knowledge of agriculture.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDoes the right hon. Gentleman suggest that the distinguished scientist he has just mentioned is in any sense a practical farmer?
§ Mr. MASTERMANI just said he was not.
§ 64. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked whether Sir Sainthill Eardley-Wilmot retired from the office of a Development Commissioner on the 12th May last in order to take up the position of forestry adviser to the Commission; if so, whether and when it is proposed to fill the vacancy on the Commission; and, in that event, whether he will, in deference to English agricultural opinion, appoint as his successor a man having large and practical experience of extensive agriculture in England?
§ Mr. MASTERMANSir Sainthill Eardley-Wilmot completed on the 11th May last his term of office as a Development Commissioner under the provisions of the Act of 1910 and the Royal Warrant appointing the Commission, and on his retirement was appointed forestry adviser to the Commission. It is proposed to fill the vacancy on the Commission at an early date, and, as my right hon. Friend stated in reply to the hon. Member on the 11th instant, the suggestion contained in the last part of the question shall be carefully considered.