39. Sir ALFREDYEOasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture if he is aware that Press representatives complain of the small amount of information which they are now able to obtain from the publicity department of the Ministry; and will he give instructions to have the matter remedied?
Sir A. BOSCAWENNo complaints of the kind suggested have reached the Ministry, and I shall be glad, therefore, if my hon. Friend will send me particulars of any instances in which Press representatives have failed to obtain information from the Publicity Department of the Ministry.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House who is in charge of this Department of the Ministry?
§ 40. Sir ALFRED YEOasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture how many persons are employed in the Publicity Department of the Ministry; what are the salaries and the total annual cost of the Department to the State; and what are the terms of employment?
Sir A. BOCAWENThe staff of the Publicity Department consists of a Publicity Officer, who is paid at the rate of £750 a year, and an Assistant Publicity Officer paid at the rate of £350 a year. Certain typing and clerical assistance is also given from the general staff of the Ministry. The appointments of the two Publicity Officers have been made for the period ending 31st March, 1921, and are of a temporary character.
§ Sir A. YEOIs there any difference between the staff to-day, owing to economy, and what it was prior to the War?