§ 3. Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to encourage orderly marketing of agricultural products in the Middle East countries; what advisory service on this subject is provided by the British Middle East Office; and which of the Middle East countries have appointed experts to advise on the marketing of specific agricultural products.
§ Mr. BevinThe Agricultural Adviser to the British Middle East Office gives general advice on the marketing of agricultural products as well as on other aspects of agriculture. The newly appointed Animal Husbandry Adviser will similarly give general guidance on the marketing of products that are within his competence. His Majesty's representatives in the Middle East give these officers full support and encouragement. As far as is known, no Middle East Government has appointed experts to advise on the marketing of specific agricultural products, although a number of Governments have appointed experts to 1300 advise on the general organisation of branches of the agricultural industry.
§ Mr. TurtonIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the present state of the marketing of agricultural products in the Middle East, and will not a great part of our expenditure on the Middle East Office be wasted if we do not get proper advisors on marketing appointed in the Middle East Office?
§ Mr. BevinI am not satisfied with marketing anywhere in the world, I must confess; but I do not think it would be helped by my giving an undertaking to appoint specific persons to this post.