HC Deb 20 February 1940 vol 357 cc1150-2
72 Mr. J. J. Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) how many members of the Sutherland County Council are on the Sutherland Food Production Committee; and whether any consultations took place with the official crofters unions with regard to the formation of this committee;

(2) the name, age, and agricultural experience of the chairman of the Sutherland Food Production Committee;

(3) whether he is aware that the paid secretary of the Sutherland Food Production Committee also acts as factor and agent for the landowners in the area, and that his son is also a member of the committee; and if he is satisfied that the best interests of the nation are served by this arrangement?

71. Mr. Leslie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action he has taken in connection with repeated unanimous protests of the Sutherland County Council against the undemocratic method of constituting the War Agricultural Committee and its personnel?

Mr. Colville

Agricultural executive committees were appointed by me from lists based on information supplied by the outdoor technical staff of the Department of Agriculture for Scotland and on the results of inquiries of the agricultural colleges. Members were selected primarily for their knowledge of the localities concerned and not as delegates from various interested organisations. The Sutherland County Council represented to me that they should be responsible for the appointment of the committee in their area, and while I did not find it possible to agree to this proposal, I offered to consider any suggestions the council might wish to make regarding the composition of the committee. Three gentlemen, whose names were suggested by the council, had previously been invited to serve on the committee but had declined to accept appointment. There are, however, three other members of the council on the committee, which consists of 16 members including seven farmers and three crofters. The chairman is Colonel Gunn, who was selected for his personal qualities as an organiser and leader in public affairs. The firm of solicitors in Golspie who act as secretaries to the committee and one of whose partners is a member, have numerous contacts with the agricultural interests of the county in the execution of their legal business. I am satisfied that these contacts in no way militate against the efficient discharge of their duties as servants of the committee, for which indeed their business experience eminently fits them.

Mr. Davidson

Is it not a fact that the county councillors who acted on the War Production Committee during the last war have protested on four occasions against the composition of this committee; is it true that the chairman, Colonel Gunn, is 76 years of age, is retired from the Army and has had no agricultural experience and that the secretary is also factor and agent for big land-owning interests in that area?

Mr. Colville

This particular chairman was raised on a croft, joined the Army in the ranks and got through to the rank of commanding officer in the Cameron Highlanders. He is very much esteemed locally and I have every confidence in him.

Mr. Davidson

As an agricultural expert? May I give notice that owing to the unsatisfactory reply of the right hon. Gentleman I propose to raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment?