§ Mr. Farrasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will be continuing the Agricultural and Horticultural Advisory Councils, in view of the fact that advisory boards for research and development are shortly to be set up.
§ Mr. GodberThe new boards will remove the need for the Councils' advisory functions related to the Ministry's research and development work. There will nevertheless remain a need for an advisory body to which I can remit for advice such matters as I choose, or are so remitted by the Ministry on my behalf. I therefore propose early in the New Year to set up for this purpose a single small council and to bring to an end the two existing bodies.
I am glad to say that Sir Nigel Strutt, Chairman of the Agricultural Advisory Council, has agreed to serve as Chairman of the new council. Sir Emrys Jones, Director-General of the Ministry's Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, will act as vice-chairman.
I should like to take this opportunity to thank the members of the present councils for the valuable services they have so readily rendered during the past three-and-a-half years.