§ 61. Major Wiseasked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed to establish an agricultural institute in Oxfordshire; and why the county council was refused permission to exercise compulsory powers of purchase when a farming property which was considered suitable and selected for the purpose became vacant a few months ago.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI propose to consider with local education authorities the question of the establishment of new institutes 282 and their location in the light of the Report on Farm Institutes of the Joint Advisory Committee on Agricultural Education which is expected before the end of this year. Arrangements have been made in certain counties for the requisition of properties for ultimate development as institutes subject to their being made available during an interim period for use as ex-Service training centres. It would not be appropriate to invoke compulsory purchase powers under the Education Act of 1944 for the acquisition of properties that would be used exclusively for this purpose. The Oxfordshire authority were so informed.
Mr. De la BèreIs the Minister aware that there is an enormous list of people waiting to go into these institutes, including many ex-Servicemen? Is he also aware of the need to hurry forward with these plans? Is the Department apathetic the whole time?
§ Mr. WilliamsI have not noticed it.