HC Deb 22 May 1940 vol 361 cc139-41
31. Mr. Woodburn

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what position in his organisation is held by Mr. William Forsyth, St. Boswell's, Dingwall; and, in view of the fact that Mr. Forsyth was discharged from the food control in the last war, if he is satisfied that this appointment commands the confidence of the producers and consumers in the area?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Boothby)

Mr. Forsyth is one of the three members of the Certifying Authorities for sheep at the collecting centres at Tain and Dingwall. He was appointed on the recommendation of the Scottish Federation of Meat Traders' Associations. After making local inquiries, I am satisfied that Mr. Forsyth is regarded generally as an expert judge of sheep and well qualified to act in this capacity on a sheep-grading panel.

32 and 33. Mr. T. Smith

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether the north-eastern area meat controller has resigned his position as prospective Conservative candidate for the Howdenshire Parliamentary Division;

(2) the exact terms and conditions of the appointment of the north-eastern area meat controller; and the duties and salary of the appointed person before his appointment was made?

Mr. Boothby

The area meat and livestock officer recently appointed for the north-eastern area has resigned his position as prospective Conservative candidate for the Howdenshire Division. His appointment as area meat and livestock officer carries a salary of £1,000, is subject to one month's notice on either side and is subject also to the general conditions governing the appointments of temporary officers on the staff of the Ministry. I have no knowledge of his emoluments prior to his present appointment, for which he was selected from a list of candidates supplied by the Central Register of the Ministry of Labour.

Sir Herbert Williams

Can my hon. Friend say whether the meat controller's resignation of his position as Conservative candidate was made obligatory, and whether it was made having regard to the fact that two right hon. Members of this House, namely, the right hon. Member for West Stirling (Mr. T. Johnston) and the right hon. and gallant Member for Hornsey (Captain Wallace) are at the moment holding positions which put them under the authority of Ministers, and whether that fact was taken into account in asking this gentleman to resign from the position of prospective Conservative candidate?

Mr. Boothby

I do not think that there was any question of obligation. The gentleman in question voluntarily tendered his resignation.