§ 50. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Prime Minister whether he has received from the executive committee of the Central Land Association, a non-partisan body having on its committee, apart from its president, eight Liberal and eight Unionist Members of Parliament, a recommendation that there should be constituted forthwith a Royal Commission which will be instructed to appoint Sub-Commissioners to make an immediate and independent inquiry into rural conditions in Great Britain, and especially to make a survey as to the facts with regard to the wages, housing, and industrial outlook of farm labourers, and as to existing grievances in respect of land tenure, game, and kindred questions, and that the reports from such Sub-Commissioners when received should be published in their entirety and without delay; whether in his reply to the association he has admitted the possible advantages of such an inquiry, survey, and report; and. if so, whether, in view of the unstable condition of agriculture, due to uncertainty as to future land reform measures, he will institute such an inquiry forthwith?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have received the recommendation from the executive committee of the association referred to. In reply, I stated that their suggestion would be considered, should a detailed inquiry into local conditions, such as was proposed, be found necessary, and I am afraid I cannot for the present say more.