66. Colonel Sir ALAN SYKESasked the President of the Hoard of Agriculture by whom the county war executive committees were appointed; and what were the qualifications considered in making the appointments?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Prothero)County war agricultural committees were appointed by the county councils at the request of the Board on the recommendation of the Milner Committee in 1915. The object was to constitute a body of agriculturists representing the county council and the principal farmers' organisations in the county. Under the Cultivation of Lands Order, 19th January. 1917, it is provided that each county war agricultural committee should appoint not less than four, and not more than seven, of its members to form an executive committee, and that additional members might be appointed by the Board. Under this Order the original members of the agricultural executive committees were appointed. In selecting additional members the Board have endeavoured to secure that the interests of both owners and cultivators of the land are adequately represented, 216 and that the committees should be composed of the best practical agriculturists in the counties.