§ 54. Colonel Greenwellasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of a Departmental instruction, issued by his Ministry, prohibiting food executive officers from initiating correspondence with Members of Parliament, even when specifically instructed to do so by their food control committees; on what grounds he issued such an instruction; and whether he is prepared to withdraw it.
§ Colonel LlewellinFood control committees exercise powers delegated to them by me. I am always prepared to give full consideration to any communication a committee may address to me. There is, therefore, no need for a committee to enter into correspondence with a Member of this House in order to make representations to me. I see no reason for withdrawing the instruction which has been in operation for more than twelve months.
§ Colonel GreenwellMay I ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman if his present regulations actually allow the chairmen of these committees to correspond with hon. Members, but not the food executive officer who is under the chairman's authority? What is the point of that?
§ Colonel LlewellinThe food executive officer is an officer of the Ministry. The chairman, of course, is not.