§ Mr. Joelasked the Minister of Agriculture how he proposes to utilise the services of technical experts from the closed down agricultural institutions; and whether some will be appointed to the county agricultural committees?
Mr. HudsonThe arrangement in regard to farm institutes is that they have been asked to terminate their normal courses of instruction forthwith, thus enabling the students to return to work on farms, and the staff in all appropriate cases to be seconded for work with county war agricultural executive committees. Agricultural colleges and University Departments of Agriculture have been asked to release forthwith any members 39W of their teaching staff whose services could be effectively utilised by county committees, and to encourage the early placing on farms of students. The specialist advisory officer stationed at the colleges will remain, but steps are being taken to strengthen this service where necessary and ensure its fuller use in the food production campaign. Professor Scott-Watson, of the School of Rural Economy, Oxford, has been seconded by the University for service in the Ministry in order to secure the maximum use of the educational and advisory facilities as a whole in the immediate war effort.