§ 52. Sir J. Lambasked 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. HudsonYes, 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. LambCan the Minister give any indication as to the scope of this committee's work Will it touch elementary, secondary and higher school education?
Mr. HudsonYes, 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. MaxtonIn 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. HudsonThe 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 1534 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. HarveyWill adult education be included, with special reference to experience in Denmark?
§ Mr. LipsonIs it intended that women should take part in agriculture after the war?