§ 89. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked what are the aggregate amounts placed by their respective Governments at the disposal of their several Departments of Agriculture in France, Germany, the United States, Holland, and Belgium, respectively?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe amounts provided for the Departments of Agriculture in France, the United States, and Belgium, respectively in 1912, were as follows:—
| £ | |||
| France | … | … | 2,168,000 |
| United States | … | … | 4,618,000 |
| Belgium | … | … | 497,000 |
§ In Germany, so far as I have been able to ascertain, the total expenditure upon agriculture in the several States amounted to about £2,700,000 in 1910, the latest year for which the Board have information. In Holland, agriculture is combined with industry and commerce in one department; the amount voted for agriculture in 1912 was £258,000. I must add, however, that the functions of the Departments of Agriculture in the different countries vary so much that no useful comparison can be made.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs it not the fact that the amount granted to our Department is about half that of the lowest the right hon. Gentleman has mentioned?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, but I must also point out that many of the functions performed by the central department in others are performed in this country by the local authorities.