HC Deb 11 December 1922 vol 159 cc2360-1
64. Mr. ROYCE

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the Terms of Reference of the Committee which is to inquire into the conditions of agriculture?

71. Mr. HARRIS

asked the Prime Minister whether, if he decides to appoint a Committee of Inquiry into the condition of agriculture in this country, he will consider including on the Committee someone with knowledge of the land system and methods of farming in Australia, New Zealand, or Canada?

The PRIME MINISTER

After consultation with my right hon. Friend the Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George) as to the form of the inquiry for which he asked in his speech in the Debate on the Address, the Government propose to set up a Tribunal of Investigation, consisting of three well-known economists, with the following reference: To inquire into the methods which have been adopted in other countries during the last 50 years to increase the prosperity of agriculture and to secure the fullest possible use of the land for the production of food and the employment of labour at a living wage, and to advise as to the methods by which those results could be achieved in this country. The terms of reference will, of course, include consideration of the methods adopted in the Dominions as well as in foreign countries.

Mr. RILEY

Will the terms of reference include a full consideration of the question of rent?

The PRIME MINISTER

I think it obvious that the terms of reference which I have given would include every relevant element for consideration.

Mr. MACPHERSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the three economists?

The PRIME MINISTER

No. They have not yet been chosen.

Mr. HARRIS

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the inclusion of an economist with personal knowledge of agriculture in the Dominions beyond the sea?

The PRIME MINISTER

Among those who will be considering this there must be several who have given consideration to that subject. Otherwise they would not think themselves competent to deal with the whole question of agriculture.

Mr. LAMBERT

Why should economists be appointed? Why not men who understand something about land?

The PRIME MINISTER

We have had lots of Commissions, as my right hon. Friend knows, of men who understand something about the land. The idea, as I understood, was that we were to try to get entirely away from interested people, either from the point of view of money or of property.

Mr. A. V. ALEXANDER

Will economists be chosen because of their knowledge of agricultural co-operation?

The PRIME MINISTER

Any economist who has made a study of agriculture must have studied that aspect of the question.