§ 61. Mr. Hugh Fraserasked the Minister of Food how many of his Ministry food enforcement officers and inspectors are employed in North Staffordshire; and what, when inspecting farms, is the normal number of their inspection unit.
§ Dr. SummerskillFive enforcement inspectors are normally employed in North Staffordshire. Usually two men would visit a farm together.
§ Mr. FraserIs the hon. Lady aware that the other day no less than six persons visited one farm; or was it a case of an official taking his friends out for the afternoon?
§ Lieut. - Colonel Bromley - DavenportAnd the rest went to buy eggs.
§ Dr. SummerskillIf there is a special area—and I am not suggesting that in North Staffordshire there is a widespread black market—which we believe should be investigated, we allow officials from headquarters to attend with those from the local centre.
Mr. H. D. HughesIs my hon. Friend aware that the last time this allegation was made in regard to Staffordshire it 1163 was alleged that 11 people visited a farm, but when inquiries were made into it the number turned out to be three.
§ Dr. SummerskillYes, Sir.
§ Mr. FraserIt is excellent that we have reduced the number from 11 to three, but surely the hon. Lady can now reduce it to two to investigate one small farm?
§ Dr. SummerskillIf the farms were all small and if the infringements of our regulations were all small, we should only want a few men, but sometimes it is necessary to investigate rather widely in these farms.
§ Mr. BeswickWould my hon. Friend say how this number compares with the number of enforcement officers employed by the Conservative Central Office to investigate Labour Party dinners?
§ 62. Mr. H. Fraserasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that his inspectors are searching farms in Staffordshire without prior presentation of their authorities to those farmers concerned; and whether such action is approved by him.
§ Dr. SummerskillInstructions have been issued that inspectors should present their authorities to the farmer before inspecting his premises. One complaint only has been received that an inspector on visiting a farm in Staffordshire did not present his authority until asked to do so.
§ Mr. FraserIs the hon. Lady aware that when questioned by the Press one of the inspectors said "We do not want to be a Gestapo. We are merely carrying out instructions"?