§ 40. Brigadier - General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the circular recently sent by him to county authorities urging them to start fresh schemes of development, and promising them funds for increases of their staff, etc., has been taken advantage of, and to what extent; and whether he proposes to approve any of these 1488 schemes that entail extra burdens on the ratepayers or to finance them from the taxpayers' pocket?
§ Mr. N. BUXTONI have not yet received from all local authorities their proposals arising out of the circular letter regarding the development of their agricultural activities in education, to which the hon. and gallant Member refers; but, from the replies which I have already received it is, I am glad to say, clear that the authorities as a whole intend to take considerable action upon that letter. The cost of such additional expenditure as I may approve will be aided by grants from the Exchequer on the existing scale—namely, two-thirds of the approved net expenditure.