§ 51. Mr. T. Smithasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food who has been appointed as the north-eastern area controller to the meat scheme; whether he has had any experience in the meat trade; and the terms and conditions of the appointment?
§ 56. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will state the duties of the 712 area meat officer for South Yorkshire, the name of the officer and the conditions of the appointment?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydMr. C. W. H. Glossop has recently been appointed Area Meat and Livestock Officer for the North-Eastern Area. This is a post requiring general administrative experience and powers of large scale organisation. Knowledge of the meat trade is not essential. The appointment is on the usual terms for temporary officers of the Ministry.
§ Mr. T. SmithAm I not right in assuming that this Mr. Glossop is the ex-Member for Penistone, and, if that is so, is the Minister satisfied that he has sufficient particular experience for this post?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydFrom among a number of candidates we are satisfied that, on merit, he was the best available.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsIs it not true that this post has been obtained exclusively by political influence, and that the person to whom the job has been given has no knowledge of the meat trade, has never been associated with it and has never been associated with any other big business?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIn reply to the second part of the question, the hon. Member cannot have it both ways. If we appoint someone who is interested in the trade we are accused of putting in traders to run their own trade. In reply to the first part of the question, though he was a Member of Parliament he is in every way qualified to fill the post.
§ Mr. WilliamsMay I ask where he obtained his qualifications and when and how? Will the Parliamentary Secretary also tell us, in reference to Question 56, what position is occupied by Mr. Bentley who is called upon to pay for livestock slaughtered at the central slaughter houses.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI have answered the two Questions together and in the answer I have given I thought I had dealt with both points, but I will make further inquiries into the case of Mr. Bentley.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs my hon. Friend not acquainted with the number of coal miners who become agricultural experts?
§ Mr. BuchananMay I ask what qualifications this gentleman had for the job other than that he was a Member of Parliament?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydHe has had administrative experience.
§ Mr. AttleeCould the hon. Gentleman specify what administrative experience this gentleman has had?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe gentleman in question is Deputy Chairman of the Thorpe and District Water Company, a Director of the Yorkshire Electric Power Company; he has been a member of Empire Farmers Tour to different parts of the Empire. He is a member of the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England and a practical farmer.