§ 54. Mr. Orbachasked the Minister of Food whether Mr. Green is still Director of Coffee at his Department; and for what purpose he visited New York in the early part of last year and, later. South Africa.
§ Sir B. SmithMr. Green is still the "Director of Coffee in the Ministry of Food. He visited New York primarily to negotiate the purchase of Colombian coffee for this country at prices within the United States coffee ceiling prices. Early this year he travelled from East Africa, where he was engaged on Ministry business, to Pretoria at the request of the Food Controller of the Union of South Africa, to discuss matters affecting the supply to the Union of South Africa of East African and Belgian Congo coffees which were being purchased by the Ministry on their behalf.
§ Mr. OrbachIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Green, Director of Coffee, while in New York also did certain things on behalf of private limited companies with which he was previously associated?
§ Sir B. SmithYes, Sir. He attended a meeting of his firm where there was some difficulty with the staff. It did not take place in my time—in the Ministry's time—and dealt in a disciplinary way with one person. Then he left.
§ Mr. OrbachDoes not the right hon.. Gentleman think it is a very difficult and invidious position for him to have persons as controllers of supplies who are in dual positions with dual loyalties?