HC Deb 12 July 1948 vol 453 cc835-6
51. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many members of the National Agricultural Advisory Service attended the Royal Agricultural Society's Show at York last week; how many cars were used; and how much petrol was allocated for these journeys.

Mr. T. Williams

In the four days during which the Royal Show was held, 175 officers of the National Agricultural Advisory Service attended on duty on one or more days mostly to act as guides or demonstrators in connection with the many-aided advisory exhibition staged by my Department. Nearly all these officers were from the Yorkshire and Lancashire Province, or from neighbouring provinces. In addition, in view of the importance of this show and of its national character, 160 other officers were granted official time off to attend. On the average, 35 cars from the Yorkshire and Lancashire Province were used daily to convey officers on duty and also necessary items of equipment, the petrol consumption being about 275 gallons. Apart from this, 16 cars and log gallons of petrol were used by officers from other provinces. In my view the attendance of these Agricultural Advisory officers was fully justified.

Mr. Hurd

While we all share the hope that good service will come from the N.A.A.S., may I ask why should not the members of this Service travel by train as the rest of us have to do?

Mr. Williams

Because—and no one in the House knows better than the hon. Gentleman—many of these officers come from country districts. They arrive very early, long before the general public, and they leave late, mostly after the general public have left the show. For them public transport is not a practical proposition.

Mr. Collins

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the show put up by the members of the N.A.A.S. service was one of the outstanding features of a very successful show?

Mr. Williams

I believe it was recognised that the exhibit of the Ministry of Agriculture Advisory Service was undoubtedly the best in the showground.

Mr. Orr-Ewing

Will the Minister say why it was found necessary for a representative of this Service to travel by car the whole way from the extreme South-West of England to the Royal Show instead of using the admirable public transport services existing in order to make the journey? He did not need his car to get home at night.

Mr. Williams

If the hon. Gentleman will give me the case which I think he has in mind, I can supply him with a very satisfactory answer.