HC Deb 23 July 1919 vol 118 cc1364-6
87. Mr. ROYCE

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board has received a communication from the Holland Farmers' Union relating to the appointment of claims inspectors connected with the guaranteed price of cereals; whether these inspectors are to receive £100 a year and all expenses for work involving less than a month full time; whether he is aware that in connection with these appointments the Holland Farmers' Union have characterised the expenditure of the Board as profligate, especially at a time when the finance of the country is in such straitened circumstances; if he will say how many of these inspectors are contemplated by the Board; and what is the estimated total cost for the year?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)

The Board have received the communication to which the hon. Member refers. The State has incurred a contingent liability to pay claims by farmers under the guarantee of corn prices, and it is essential that such claims should be carefully checked by competent and independent inspectors. Hitherto, the agricultural returns have been voluntary and unchecked. Now that under the Corn Production Act possible payments from the Exechequer are dependent upon the accuracy of these returns, it is necessary to ascertain by a complete inspection what degree of error may be expected in the figures. From this year's complete inspection it will be possible to determine what percentage of claims ought to be inspected in future years in order to provide an adequate safeguard. Each inspector will be responsible for verifying and certifying the claims in respect of some 7,000 acres of corn. The fee for each inspector is fixed at £100, in addition to expenses on the Treasury scale. The number of corn claim inspectors in England and Wales is 1,065, and the total cost of this service is estimated at £200,000. The appointment of these inspectors is temporary and terminates on the 30th September. In future years a much smaller staff will be required.

Mr. ROYCE

Does the hon. Gentleman not regard this expenditure as prodigal, considering the amount of work to be done?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I think not. Having regard to the large contingent claims that may be made against the State this expenditure is well justified for the present year only.

Mr. ROYCE

Will the hon. Gentleman consider whether the men hitherto approached are the most suitable men for the work, and is not the amount to be paid greatly in excess of what the work justifies?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I do not think the payment is in excess having regard to the amount of work they will have to do. As regards the suitability of the men, every care has been taken in the selection of them.

Major HOWARD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these men have no agricultural knowledge at all—that they are men out of drapers' shops, bicycle agents, and others?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I am not aware of that. If my hon. Friend will give me any specific cases I will inquire.

Mr. PRETYMAN

Were the war agricultural committees consulted in this matter—was that point considered?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

Yes, Sir; but in view of the fact that the amount of work to be done was so great we came to the conclusion that it was necessary to appoint special inspectors

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