§ Captain R. TERRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether Mr. Alexander Batchelor, who has been appointed a member of the Royal Commission on Agriculture, has any practical knowledge whatever of farming; whether he is a solicitor; whether his connection with the Farmers' Union is merely that of organisation; and what has been his connection with the Advisory Committee for potato distribution in Scotland?
Sir A. BOSCAWENMr. Batchelor is a solicitor by profession, bat is associated with the firm of F. M. and G. Batchelor, who farm extensive holdings in Forfarshire. I cannot say what is his precise connection with the Scottish 215W Farmers Union, but I understand that that body and the corresponding English Association pressed for his appointment on the Royal Commission. He has been a member of the Scottish Central Allocation Authority since its formation, and he has also been a leading member of the Central Agricultural Advisory Council; his appointment was recommended both by the present and the late Chairman of that body. He was also a member of the Travelling Commission on Milk Prices.