§ 8. Sir H. Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Education if he will make a statement regarding his plans for the building of farm institutes and similar establishments in England and Wales.
§ The Minister of Education (Sir David Eccles)Yes, Sir. I am anxious that everything possible shall be done to further the development of agricultural education and for the year 1961–62 I have authorised a building programme of about £¾ million for farm institutes and other similar establishments in England and Wales. This is substantially more than in any previous year. I will with permission circulate the details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
It is the intention to continue building at this level for the next few years until the main needs are met. I shall shortly be inviting local education authorities to submit their proposals for 1962–63.
§ Sir H. Legge-BourkeWhile thanking my right hon. Friend and congratulating him upon his statement, may I ask him whether he will ensure that, before the final sites are decided upon for the building 602 of these institutes, all the experienced gained from the initial effort by the Isle of Ely Education Authority in setting up the horticultural institute at Wisbech will be taken into account, because it is very important that the land that lies around the institutes should be suitable, as well as the actual sites of the buildings?
§ Sir D. EcclesI certainly will take that experience into account.
§ Mr. WilleyIs the Minister satisfied that he will attract the teachers who are required, as indicated by the Lampard-Vachell Report?
§ Sir D. EcclesIt is going to be difficult, but we have a variety of plans for doing so.
§ Following is the list of establishments at which major improvements will he undertaken:
| County | Establishment |
| England: | |
| Bedfordshire | Mander College of Further Education (Agricultural Department). |
| Buckinghamshire | County Demonstration Farm. |
| Cumberland/Westmorland. | Farm Institute. |
| Essex | Institute of Agriculture. |
| Hertfordshire | Institute of Agriculture and Horticulture. |
| Lincolnshire (Kesteven). | Farm Institute. |
| Nottinghamshire | Farm Institute. |
| Oxfordshire | Rycote Wood College of Rural Crafts. |
| Shropshire | Farm Institute. |
| Somerset | Farm Institute. |
| Surrey | Farm Institute. |
| Yorkshire (West Riding). | Farm Institute. |
| Wales: | |
| Breconshire | Rural Technical Institute. |
| Cardiganshire | Farmers' Education Centre, Felinfach. |