HC Deb 26 November 1919 vol 121 cc1786-7
48. Mr. WATERSON

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government contemplates making a Grant of £30,000 per annum or thereabouts, to run for five years, to the Agricultural Organisation Society; if not, has any amount been granted; and, if so, will he state the amount and whether the Grant or Grants is for the promotion of trading?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

Apart from Grants for allotment and other special work, Grants to the Agricultural Organisation Society are made from two sources —the Development Fund and the Small Holdings Account; much the larger proportion coming from the former. The Treasury have paid to the society £20,000 during the current year on account of Grants proposed from the Development Fund; and I understand that the Development Commissioners will probably recommend the Treasury to make to the Society Grants for the current and three following years, which are expected, with contributions from the Small Holdings Account, to make up a total of £120,000 for the four years. After the 31st March, 1923, it is not contemplated that any further Grants will be made to the Society (which should by then be self-supporting), except, possibly, for allotment work or any special piece of work falling outside the normal activities of the Society which the Society may undertake with the approval or at the request of the Government.

No part of these Grants or of any income of the Society is or will be spent in trading, the Society being a purely propagandist and advisory body, and giving no pecuniary aid to trading societies. It is, of course, an essential function of the Society to promote trading, in the sense, of organising and advising farmers' societies for co-operative trade.

Mr. RAFFAN

What grant is given to this organisation for which the right hon. Gentleman calls allotment work?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I cannot give the amount, but I will send the figure to the hon. Member if he wishes. It is for promoting and assisting allotment societies.

Mr. RAFFAN

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the National Union of Allotment Holders strongly objects to this Grant being given, and will he consider their views in connection with the matter?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I am quite aware of that; but I do not understand the reason for their objection.

Mr. J. DENNIS

Is any portion of this Grant applied by the Agricultural Organisation Society in support of a concern called the Agricultural Wholesale Society?

Mr. J. H. THOMAS

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask if he is not aware that the allotment holders' objection is that they can do the work without any public charge?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

Our view is that it is absolutely necessary for Grants to be made. We are very anxious that every opportunity should be given for the formation of allotment societies throughout the country. In regard to the question of the hon. Member (Mr. Dennis), I have already said that no money whatever is given by the Agricultural Organisation Society to any trading body. The Agricultural Wholesale Society is a trading body, and it receives no grant from the Agricultural Organisation Society.

Mr. MACQUISTEN

If the allotment societies will do this work for nothing why should you give them a Grant?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I have said that if we are convinced that they can do it for nothing the Grant will cease!