§ 20. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture the relationship between the National Agricultural Advisory Service and the county agricultural executive committees; and if he will take steps to ensure that no one shall be a member of both these committees.
§ Sir T. DugdaleMembers of the National Agricultural Advisory Service, who are civil servants, act as executive and advisory officers of county agricultural executive committees, and the chief officers of these committees and their district committees are normally drawn from the Service. Civil servants, whether members of the N.A.A.S. or not, are never appointed as members of county agricultural executive committees.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs it not contrary to British justice that anyone who gives advice should be judge in a case where that advice is not followed?
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe members of the Advisory Service are in no way judges.
§ 21. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the full value of the National Agricultural Advisory Service is not being secured because farmers most in need of help and advice are afraid to call in officers of the Service because they fear that it will set in motion the dispossession functions of the county agricultural executive; and what action he will take to put an end to this.
§ Sir T. DugdaleMy hon. Friend's suggestion is entirely erroneous. So far from being afraid to call on the National Agricultural Advisory Service, farmers of all kinds are steadily increasing their requests for help from the Service.
§ Sir W. SmithersWill the Minister not stop these totalitarian methods of supervising and dispossessing farmers, 571 especially when those farmers have no right of appeal to a traditional court of law?
§ Sir T. DugdaleThat has nothing whatever to do with the Question. The National Agricultural Advisory Service is there for the sole purpose of giving advice to farmers on the best means of cultivation and good husbandry.