§ 32. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Food how many, and who, are his advisers in the fresh fruit and vegetable business; and what are the salaries and total expenses so incurred.
§ The Minister of Food (Mr. Maurice Webb)There are a Director, one Deputy-Director and three Assistant Directors in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Division in addition to subordinate staff. The Director and Assistant Directors are trade experts but are not now in business on their own account; the Deputy-Director is a civil servant. The total annual salaries of these officers amount to about £6,675 a year. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the names of the officers in question.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the Minister aware that the policy of his Ministry and of his officials is creating chaos in the distributing section of the fruit and vegetable trade, and is causing loss to the producers and higher costs to the consumers?