§ Major CAYZERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture why the application of Mr. F. Marnie, late second-lieutenant, Royal Air 922W Force, which was made through the Ministry of Labour Appointments Department, No. 8 District, Exeter, was refused by the Board of Agriculture; and whether, in view of the fact that Mr. Marnie has been farming on his own farm in Rhodesia for twelve years prior to the War, that the Government cannot repatriate him under six months and are prepared to extend that time, and that he is very anxious whilst waiting to be repatriated to take advantage of the opportunity to regain some of the knowledge and experience lost whilst on service by taking a course of higher agriculture provided by the Government, the Board of Agriculture can reconsider their decision?
Sir A. BOSCAWENMr. Marnie applied for a scholarship at an agricultural college under the Officers' Agricultural Training Scheme. His application was referred by the Board to a committee of selection, on whose recommendations the Board act; and I regret that it is not possible for the Board to reconsider their decision in his case. These scholarships are limited to 100, and over 1,000 applications have already been received.