§ Mr. CAUTLEYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what financial assistance will be given by 322W the Board to ex-officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force desiring to be trained in agriculture for such posts as officers of the Board, county officials, estate agents, and managers; and what are the prospects of such employment being available?
§ Sir A. GRIFFITH-BOSCAWENThe Board have obtained authority to award fifty scholarships, of a value varying up to £175 per annum and fees, to be held at universities and agricultural colleges, to ex-officers and men of educational promise wishing to take up a career of the nature indicated by the hon. Member, and they are prepared, subject to Treasury approval, to increase this number up to 100 if necessary. These scholarships are intended for candidates who have some previous scientific knowledge, or practical training, or both. Particulars are given in a booklet, entitled "Land Settlement to the Mother Country—Officers,''which has been widely circulated. Appointments cannot, of course, be guaranteed at the end of training, and the Board are strongly of opinion that the number of posts—official and other—likely to be available does not justify them in encouraging more than a small number of ex-officers or men to seek a career in this direction. I am glad of an opportunity to make this public statement, as very many applications and inquiries for salaried appointments in agriculture are now being received, and it is most desirable that it should be known at once that openings of the kind are bound to be comparatively few.