§ Mr. JOHNasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will define the nature and limitations of the functions and powers of the recently constituted National Council of Agriculture for Wales, and give details of its personnel; and whether he is yet able to indicate the funds likely to be placed at its disposal?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIt is impossble within the limits of an answer to a Parliamentary question to give the information for which the hon. Member asks. I dealt very fully with the whole subject in my speech at the first meeting of the Welsh Agricultural Council on the 14th inst. A report of the proceedings is being printed, and I will send the hon. Member a copy as soon as possible.
§ Mr. JOHNasked the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can now indicate what increased financial provision he is prepared to recommend the Development Commissioners to make for the purpose of advancing agricultural education and the study of forestry at the university colleges of Aberystwyth and Bangor; whether, should substantial financial support be forthcoming locally, he will recommend similar assistance for the Cardiff University College; and whether, in dealing with these matters, he will have regard to the fact that the three Scottish agricultural colleges enjoy an aggregate income from public sources of £30,000 per annum?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative.1510W The formulation of detailed proposals on which an estimate of expenditure can be based involves long and detailed inquiry, but there will be no avoidable delay. With regard to the second part of the question, I can only say that any specific proposals which may be made to me shall receive careful consideration. The extent to which assistance is given out of public funds to the Scottish colleges will of course be kept in view in our negotiations with the Development Commissioners and the Treasury.