HC Deb 31 July 1941 vol 373 cc1532-4
52. Sir J. Lamb

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is yet in a position to make any further statement about the reform of the system of agricultural education?

Mr. Hudson

Yes, Sir. After consultation with my right hon. Friend the late President of the Board of Education, I have appointed a Committee under the Chairmanship of Lord Justice Luxmoore to examine the present system of agricultural education and to make recommendations for improving and developing it after the war. The other members of the Committee are: The hon. Member for Batley and Morley (Mr. Hubert Beaumont), Mr. W. J. Cumber, Mr. Ifor L. Evans, Mr. W. M. Goodenough, Dr. T. Loveday and Mr. J. M. McClean. I have further appointed Mr. A. R. Whyte, of the Ministry of Agriculture, and Mr. Ronald Ede, Secretary of the School of Agriculture, Cambridge, to be Joint Secretaries to the Committee.

Sir J. Lamb

Can the Minister give any indication as to the scope of this committee's work Will it touch elementary, secondary and higher school education?

Mr. Hudson

Yes, Sir. I have told the Committee that I expect them to cover the groundwork of elementary and secondary education which forms the source of supply of recruits to agriculture. The types of training required by the various categories for which agricultural education should cater, including farmers, landowners, bailiffs, farm workers, land agents, agricultural engineers, teachers, technical advisers, and the extent to which the existing system should be modified or increased to meet these needs.

Mr. Maxton

In reading the list of names of those who are to serve on the Committee, the Minister did not state the qualifications of the members for the task. Will he set out in some paper the qualifications of the men appointed to this important work?

Mr. Hudson

The hon. Member for Batley and Morley is well known to the House; Mr. Cumber was Chairman last year of the Council of Agriculture; Mr. Evans is Principal of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth; Mr. Goodenough is a prominent banker and farmer; Dr. Loveday is Vice-Chancellor of Bristol University, and Mr. McClean is a leading farmer.

Mr. Harvey

Will adult education be included, with special reference to experience in Denmark?

Mr. Hudson

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Lipson

Is it intended that women should take part in agriculture after the war?

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