§ 62. Mr. P. A. HARRISasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state what arrangements have been made to defray the expenses of the local food committees; whether he is aware that the committee for the Market Harborough area have received no financial assistance towards the salaries of their officials and staff, and the whole of the cost thereof has been defrayed out of the rate account; and what action it is proposed to take to remedy this most unsatisfactory position?
§ Mr. PARKERFood control committees are entitled to claim repayment of reasonable expenses incurred by them in carrying out the Food Controller's Orders, provided that such expenses are in each case certified to have been necessary by the Food Commissioner concerned. The Food Commissioner for the division in which Market Harborough is situated has found himself unable to certify as necessary all the expenses in respect of which repayment is claimed by the food control committee. I am, however, taking steps with a view to securing an early settlement of the case.