HC Deb 14 February 1917 vol 90 cc609-11
51. Mr. PRINGLE

asked the Prime Minister if he can state the nature of the appointment held by Mr. Trustram Eve in connection with food production; and what is the amount of his salary?

Sir HENRY NORMAN

Before the hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I say that I put an unstarred question on this subject last Thursday, and it has not yet been answered?

Mr. FORSTER

I am very sorry. I did not know it had been unanswered. I drafted an answer to it, and I will inquire why it was not given. Mr. Trustram Eve was appointed by the War Office about the time of the recent changes in the Ministry to stimulate the production of oats for Army requirements by the direct cultivation of War Department Lands now under grass and the encouragement of similar cultivation by farmers through the placing of forward contracts for the crops of 1917. Mr. Eve succeeded my right hon. Friend the Member for the Camborne Division of Cornwall as chairman of the Forage Committee. As he had to devote his whole time to the work he is compensated for loss of business at £250 a month. The changes which have since supervened have necessitated a reconsideration of the nature of this appointment, and the matter is now under my consideration.

Mr. G. LAMBERT

Would it not be far better that the Board of Agriculture should have control of the production of food?

Mr. FORSTER

I think it is most desirable that all these matters should be under the control of one Minister, but at the time this appointment was made, owing to circumstances on which I need not dilate nothing special was being done. I saw that there was a very urgent demand for oats for Army requirements, and after consulting my advisers I deemed it necessary in the interests of the Army to make a special appointment, with a view to pushing on the production of throats. I consulted my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Agriculture, and also my Noble Friend the Food Controller, since he was appointed, and I asked if either of them would be prepared to take charge of this work at once and push on with it. I told them what we wanted. They asked me to continue until they were prepared to deal with it themselves.

Sir H. NORMAN

Is this salary free of Income Tax?

Mr. FORSTER

Certainly not. It is subject to Income Tax.

Commander WEDGWOOD

How long have we to pay this salary?

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Are we to understand that this gentleman's business is now closed?

Mr. FORSTER

What I said was that the necessity for this appointment was being examined and that I had the matter under consideration.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

I mean his private business.

Mr. FORSTER

He is not able to attend to it.

Mr. G. FABER

Is there any written contract with the Department?

Mr. FORSTER

I think the arrangement is expressed by interchange of letters.

Mr. FABER

What notice would be required?

Mr. FORSTER

A month.