§ 42. Mr. Mathersasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make a statement regarding young farmers' clubs and the prospect of their development?
Mr. JohnstonYes, Sir. The statement is, however, rather long, and with my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. MathersWill my right hon. Friend keep in mind the importance of Scotland being upsides with England in this connection?
§ Following is the statement:
§ When the Scottish Association of Young Farmers' Clubs was formed in 1937 there were in existence about 35 clubs at various centres in Scotland. To assist in the development of the movement annual grants have been made since that year by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland and the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust. By 1939 the number of clubs had grown to 72 but, owing to war conditions, the Association has not found it possible to maintain activities in all these clubs. The Association recently launched an appeal to the farming community of Scotland for subscriptions to a capital fund, the income from which will be applied towards the maintenance of the movement on a self-supporting basis. Arrangements are at present being made with a view to the summoning of a National Conference of delegates of Young Farmers' Clubs to consider the whole problem of the extension of the movement. It is hoped that this Conference will be held early in the New Year and proposals for the development of the excellent work of the clubs will doubtless result from this meeting.