§ 24. Mr. CHARLES DUNCANasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has made any appointments in connection with the administration of Section. 6 of the Corn Production Act; if so, what is the nature and number of these appointments; the salaries attaching thereto, and the qualifications for appointment; whether he has considered the representations made by the Customs and Excise Federation on behalf of the outdoor officers of Customs and Excise; and, if so, whether he is now prepared to offer them a limited number of these posts?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThe question no doubt refers to the investigation of complaints and the taking of preceedings under Section 7 of the Corn Production Act. No definite appointments of officers for these duties have yet been made, and it is difficult as yet to estimate the number which may be required. It is proposed that any such officers should at present be appointed on a temporary basis and consequently the transfer of permanent Civil servants is not advisable, even if they could be spared by the Department now employing them. A letter was addressed by the Customs and Excise Federation to the President of the Local Government Board in August last and was forwarded by him to the Board of Agriculture. The federation was then informed that there did not appear to be any opportunity of employing officers of the Customs and Excise Department in connection with the administration of the Corn Production Act. Should such an opportunity arise the Board will be glad to consider the representations of the federation and to communicate with the Commissioners of Customs and Excise on the subject.