§ 33. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Agricultural Education Conference will take into consideration matters affecting education in rural elementary schools; whether any request has been received by him that the Conference shall include some teacher or teachers in rural elementary schools; whether that request has been acceded to; and, if not, why this has not been done?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative; the remaining parts of the question therefore do not arise.
§ Mr. ROBERT HARCOURTCan the right hon. Gentleman say what is this Conference referred to? Is it an official body?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, Sir.
§ 34. Mr. GOLDSTONEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether there exists a body known as the Rural Education Conference which from time to time issues reports upon educational questions; if so, by whom the members of that conference are appointed; whether, having regard to the nature of the subjects considered and of the reports published, he has appointed any practical teachers as members of the conference; and, if not, why this has not been done?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Rural Education Conference has been dissolved and reconstituted under the name of the Agricultural Education Conference. I am sending 447 to my hon. Friend a copy of a Minute, in which the constitution and functions of the Conference are explained, together with a list of the members, thirteen of whom are teachers.
§ Mr. R. HARCOURTasked a question which was not audible in the Press Gallery.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIt is a Conference of representatives of a large number of educational bodies who give advice to the Department concerning rural education.
§ Sir W. RYLAND ADKINSAre we to understand it is an Advisory Committee similar to that of the Board of Education?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, it is exactly the same body, only larger.