HC Deb 31 October 1957 vol 575 cc381-2
24. Mr. Vane

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, how many county agricultural executive committees now arrange not to open their main or sub-offices on Saturdays.

Mr. Amory

None of the main offices, and only two of the district offices, are now regularly open on Saturdays.

Mr. Vane

If there is a demand, will my right hon. Friend try to arrange their roster of duties so that such offices can be open? Farming means working seven days a week, and it has been represented that it is not a good example from those who are supposed to look after the interests of farmers to find that working a five-and-a-half-day week is an intolerable burden.

Mr. Amory

I am aware of that. As a matter of fact, we kept a number of offices open for some months where we believed there would be a demand in terms of visits and inquiries on Saturday mornings. However, the demand was so small that we rather reluctantly decided that we were not justified in keeping the offices open.

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