§ 50. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will arrange for an analysis to be made of the trading accounts now being kept by the county agricultural executive committees to show separately the financial results of their farming operations, pest control work, and the cultivation and harvesting operations undertaken by contract.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsThe trading accounts for the current and succeeding financial years will, when published, show separately for committees as a whole the financial results of their farming operations, pest control, the supply of labour, machinery operations, and drainage and water supply operations.
§ Mr. HurdDo I understand from that answer that it will be possible to test the efficiency and economy of the administration county by county, because that would be a great stimulus?
§ Mr. WilliamsNo, Sir. It is not intended to provide separate figures for each committee.
§ Mr. BaldwinIn view of the opinion widely held that there have been colossal losses by the committees, would not the Minister agree that it would be better to give the fullest information in regard to these accounts?
§ Mr. WilliamsThe hon. Member has first to prove that there are losses from a national standpoint before he makes allegations of that kind. Only when it can be proved that there are losses, taking all factors into account, including the need for the food that is being produced, can these allegations be sustained.