§ 51. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Minister of Agriculture whether any grants are available from his Department for research in agricultural engineering to be carried out either by the Institute for Research in Agricultural Engineering at Oxford or by individual firms of manufacturers; and, if so, what is the extent of the grant and the conditions governing it?
§ Dr. ADDISONAnnual grants have been made since 1924 from the Development Fund to the University of Oxford in aid of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering. The grant is made for the purpose of research in agricultural engineering, and for the current academic year is assessed at £12,700. The conditions attaching to such grants are rather voluminous, and I am, therefore, sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. The Ministry is precluded from making grants from the Development Fund to individual firms.
§ 52. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the need for research with regard to the development of small harvester-thresher machines suitable to English conditions; and whether he proposes to encourage such research either by direct grants over a period of years or by any other method?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes, Sir. The question has been receiving the attention of my Department for some years, and funds are already available for investigations into the types of machine most suitable for this country.
§ Mr. ROSBOTHAMWill the right hon. Gentleman take the advice of practical agriculturists and ascertain whether the conditions in this country are suitable for this machinery?
§ Dr. ADDISONI presume that is done at the institute.