HC Deb 18 June 1956 vol 554 cc1045-6
44. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food how many marketing officers are on the establishment of his Department; and what are their duties.

Mr. Amory

The Ministry employs 14 marketing officers and 13 fresh fruit and vegetables officers. These officers deal with a wide variety of problems arising from the marketing of agricultural, horticultural and livestock products. They also visit markets to obtain information about wholesale prices, quality, supply and demand of home grown and imported fruit and vegetables and make reports on selected samples of certain horticultural products for grade assessment purposes.

Mr. Willey

In view of the very inaccurate results they got in the case of potatoes, would the right hon. Gentleman arrange for these officers to attend a school in marketing research?

Mr. Amory

I am really very surprised by the hon. Gentleman and his colleagues. They chastised me the other day for inaction, but when I take action they chastise me for having taken it.