§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been directed to criticism of the Agricultural Organisation Society made by an ex-official of that society; whether he is aware of a widespread opinion that the Agricultural Organisation Society should be self-supporting, and that the landowners and farmers in that body should pay for the economic organisation of their industry without recourse to state subsidies; and whether he will take steps to stop any further payments from public funds to the Agricultural Organisation Society?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and the last part in the negative. The Board of Agriculture share the view that the Agricultural Organisation Society should become self-supporting within a reasonable period, and it is, therefore, proposed to fix the 31st March, 1923, as the date after which no further grants from public funds will be made to the society, except for allotment work or any special work which the society may undertake with the approval or at the request of the Government.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will make a Return of the amounts paid, or to be paid, during 1917–18, 1918–19, and 1919–20 from public funds to the Agricultural Organisation Society; the total voluntary revenue of that society in the same year; the amount of affiliation fees actually received from 1364W allotment societies in each completed year; the number of farmers' societies and the number of allotment societies who paid full affiliation fees last year; the total amount of the salaries paid to the staff last year; the total trade turnover last year of farmers' societies affiliated to the Agricultural Organisation Society; and the full conditions on which the society receives grants from public funds?
Sir A. BOSCAWENI am disposed to doubt whether the matter is one of sufficient importance and general interest to justify the Return asked for; but I shall be happy to send the hon. and gallant Member the information which he desires, so far as it is available, for publication if he sees fit.