§ 36. Mr. Wiggasked the Secretary of State for War what consultations he had with outside professional bodies before issuing his advertisement in " The Times " for a nutrition adviser for the Army.
§ 37. Mr. Wiggasked the Secretary of State for War why he did not consult Dr. D. P. Cuthbertson, the Director of the Rowett Institute, and why he did not consult the British Dietetic Association before issuing his advertisement in " The Times " for a nutrition adviser forthe Army.
§ Mr. HeadThis position was not considered of sufficient importance to justify consultation with the British Dietetic Association.
§ Mr. WiggDo not the right hon. Gentleman's replies to this and the previous Question gloss over a piece of gross maladministration by his Department, in that the Army has no nutrition policy and yet published an advertisement in " The Times " for a nutrition adviser who could not possibly have the requested qualifications?
§ Mr. HeadWe have a policy in this respect. Apparently the words " nutrition " and " dietetic " have different meanings, and the way we used the expression attached undue importance to a post which was only a minor post.
§ Mr. ShinwellWhen did the right hon. Gentleman decide to have a nutrition adviser? Are not the best nutrition advisers the men themselves when they get the food placed before them?
§ Mr. HeadIf I may say so, the right hon. Gentleman is talking a lot of sense. But it was considered that this particular post, which was just a minor one, was necessary for analysis of different types of rations.
§ Mr. WiggIs it not a fact that Dr. Cuthbertson is Honorary Nutrition Adviser to the Army, and that the Army published the advertisement without consulting him?
§ Mr. MellishWhy have a nutrition expert when soldiers get what we used to get-brown stew and steak-and-kidney pie?