§ 8. Major Spenceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has taken steps to ensure that the agricultural colleges in Scotland are on an equal financial footing with those in England.
§ Mr. WestwoodI presume that the hon. Member's Question relates to the amount of financial assistance which the colleges receive from the State. If this is so, I can assure him that the agricultural colleges in Scotland are not less favourably treated as regards State grants than those in England and Wales.
§ Major SpenceIs the Minister aware that some two months ago new provisions were made for the agricultural colleges in England which had a most unsettling effect on the staffs of the colleges in Scotland, and would he have this matter in mind when future announcements of this kind are being made?
§ Mr. WestwoodIf the hon. and gallant Member has in mind the scales of salaries suggested for the English colleges, I can assure him that proposals for securing salaries and prospects for the staffs of the Scottish colleges comparable to those pro posed for the agricultural advisory service in England and Wales are at present being considered in consultation with the heads of the colleges.
§ Mr. Snadden:Will the Secretary of State make certain that our best expert agriculturists are not drawn away by the larger salaries prevailing in the South?
§ Mr. WestwoodI can assure the hon. Member that it has always been my policy, both as Under-Secretary and now as Secretary of State, that no one in Scotland giving a service similar to that given in England shall be paid less for it