54. Mr. FOOT MITCHELLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any decision has been reached to form a central bureau of Imperial research for agriculture; and, if so, whether he will give 1396 some indication of the composition of the bureau and the nature of the work it will undertake?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. Amery)I have been asked to answer this question. Meetings of representatives of various parts of the Empire have recently been held in London to consider schemes for the establishment on an inter-Imperial basis of clearing houses for information on certain branches of agricultural science, as recommended by the Imperial Agricultural Research Conference. 1927. Since, however, the recommendations resulting from these meetings have not yet been received by the Governments concerned, I regret that I cannot give a detailed reply at present to my hon. Friend's question.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs it intended to finance this arrangement from the Empire Marketing Board or from the Colonial Office?
§ Mr. AMERYThe various Governments will, I imagine, contribute, and the question of whether the Empire Marketing Board will also contribute is, no doubt, a point that will have to be considered.