§ Mr. NEWTONasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state what amount of public money has been expended during the years 1911, 1912, and 1913, respectively, on experiments in connection with flax; and if he will state shortly the nature of the experiments, and, further, to whom the conduct of such experiments was entrusted?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo payments have been made in the years mentioned in the question on experiments connected with flax. Grants have, however, been sanctioned by the Treasury to Leeds University from the Development Fund as follows:—
- £1,500 towards the cost of growing 120 acres during 1913.
- £2,400 for capital expenditure on an experimental station.
- £3,500 for working expenses during 1913–14.
The object of the Grant is to secure a practical investigation into the process of retting flax, with a view to testing the possibility of reviving the flax industry in this country. The experiments are being conducted by Leeds University Council, who have appointed an advisory committee to assist them in the matter.