§ Major Legge-Bourkeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a further statement on the future work and organisation of agricultural executive committees.
§ Mr. John HareI have now had valuable discussions with the chairmen of county agricultural executive committees and with leaders of the N.F.U., C.L.A. and workers' unions. The report of my noble Friend, Lord St. Aldwyn, has received general support, and I have decided to adopt it as the basis of my future policy for these committees.
I propose to retain their present representative constitution, which is well fitted to the important part they play in the partnership between government and industry. Their task will be to promote 214W the general development of agriculture in their counties and their wide knowledge of local conditions will be of great value to me in the working out of policy, in its detailed application and in the work of technical development. I shall in future choose members primarily for their aptitude for these tasks. In this the bodies representing the industry have promised their support.
I am asking county chairmen to review their county and district committee organisation on the lines recommended in the report; and I intend to foster full and effective co-operation between my Ministry and the committees. I am most grateful to the Chairmen and members of the Committees for all the hard work they have done with such energy and tact for the agricultural industry.