§ 61. Mr. C. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the numbers of the personnel employed by his Ministry in 1938 and the numbers employed in March, 1948, including the committees and employees of the Agricultural Executive.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsDuring 1938 the staff of the Ministry averaged approximately 2,450. On is April, 1948, the total staff, including those working for county agricultural executive committees, was 17,457.
§ Mr. C. WilliamsDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that the forms which these employees in his Ministry deal out are a heavy extra burden to the farmer?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsNo, Sir. I am quite satisfied that the duties devolving upon county agricultural executive committees to ensure the maximum food production have at this moment necessarily increased the staff.
§ Mr. C. WilliamsArising out of that reply, and while not wishing to deal with the agricultural committees, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that it is mainly Departmental officials who are holding up the work of agriculture at the present time?
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI can only say that I do not agree with the hon. Member.