§ 73. Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has called upon the various agricultural committees throughout the country to curtail their estimates for the current year by 20 per cent.; whether at the same time these committees are in receipt of a communication from his Ministry in reference to a new scheme involving the appointment of various inspectors in each area; and whether he has observed the comment of experienced members of these committees that the work of these inspectors now greatly overlaps, and in the south-western districts they already constitute a formidable list?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe reply is in the negative. It was intended to place a limit on the expenditure of each agricultural committee in respect of services chargeable entirely to the Ministry's Vote, mainly in connection with the administration of Part I. of the Agriculture Act, 1920. As a result, however, of the decision to repeal that Measure, the greater part of such expenditure will entirely disappear. No new officers are being appointed by the county agricultural committees except in a few isolated cases where, owing to the inadequacy or even entire absence of local staff, temporary appointments not exceeding three months are necessary in connection with the 1091 checking of corn claims. With reference to the second part of the question, the scheme referred to does not involve the appointmnt of any additional inspectors. The existing staff has been regrouped in divisions with the object of avoiding overlapping and securing more efficient and economical administration.
§ Mr. HURDHow does the right hon. Gentleman explain the impression which is so prevalent in the south-western counties that what some of these authorities call a horrifying list of new inspectors is being sent out?