§ Sir A. WILSONasked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent the powers conferred by both Agricultural Marketing Acts to adopt schemes to encourage, promote or conduct research in connection with production and marketing of agricultural products have been exercised by the potato, bacon, milk, pigs, and hops marketing boards; and whether his Department has given any and what encouragement to these boards to avail themselves of their powers in this respect?
§ Mr. ELLIOTThe Hops Marketing Board does not possess any powers of the kind referred to. The other Agricultural Marketing Boards mentioned have certain powers which they may exercise in connection with research services, but I understand they have not yet exercised them. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that many urgent problems have engaged the attention of the boards since the schemes came into operation; but I have no doubt that they will give the earliest possible consideration to the question, and that if they feel that my Department could assist them in the matter they will not hesitate to apply to me.