§ Mr. Steeleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the decisions he has reached on the recommendations of the Alness Committee on Agricultural Education in Scotland.
§ Mr. Westwood:I have decided to accept the Committee's recommendations that there should be a clear cut distinction between the teaching of students aspiring to a degree, and of those taking courses leading after two years' study to diplomas or taking shorter courses; and that instruction for the degree should be given in university classes and for the diploma and shorter courses in the agricultural colleges. I also accept the view of the Committee that the regional system of agricultural education in Scotland under which the three colleges were founded and have developed should not be altered. I do not, however, consider that a convincing case has been made for the centralisation of degree teaching in one university, and I do not propose to adopt the recommendation of the majority of the Committee to this effect. I agree that the scales of salaries of officers of the external services of the colleges should be the same 283W as those approved for officers of similar standing and responsibility in the National Agricultural Advisory Service for England and Wales, and propose to make suitable financial provision in the Estimate for 1946. I am in communication with the agricultural colleges concerning certain of the remaining recommendations of the Committee.