§ 28. Mr. NOEL BUXTONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the special inquiries by the crop reporters are sufficiently advanced to justify detailed surveys of selected areas on the lines of the survey conducted by the Scottish Board of Agriculture?
Mr. GUINNESSI would remind the right hon. Gentleman of my reply to a similar question on the 15th March last. I have again considered the suggestion that a survey should be undertaken into agricultural conditions in selected areas, but I feel that the best course to pursue in this matter is to wait until the general statistical Report, which is now in hand, has been published. I may add that a survey of agricultural conditions which was confined merely to a descriptive account of existing methods of farming would not be of great value, and would not justify the expense involved, while if it went beyond this stage it would involve the expression of 16 opinions on points of a very contentious nature. I am, therefore, very doubtful of the desirability of adopting the proposal, but I will give the matter further consideration at a later date.
§ Mr. BUXTONWhen may we expect the statistical Report and is not the method of survey which is being adopted in Scotland one which has been carefully examined and which might be adopted here?
Mr. GUINNESSWe have examined the results of the survey in Scotland, and though the matter is of great interest, I do not think it would give the results for which many of those who are asking for this survey are pressing.