§ Mr. W. SMITHasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that no appointment has yet been made of a horticultural instructor for the county of Bedford; whether he is aware that the demand for horticultural education and instruction is greater to-day in that county than ever before, largely owing to the expansion of the allotment movement and the settlement of ex-service men on small holdings; and whether, in view of the serious delay in this matter, he will now press for the subject to be dealt with immediately?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe appointment of a horticultural organiser in Bedfordshire is a matter primarily for the county council, who have decided on financial grounds not to make such an appointment at present. In common with other Departments, the Ministry of Agriculture is bound by the instructions of the Government to refrain from pressing local authorities to undertake expenditure which would involve an additional charge on the rates and indirectly on the Exchequer.