§ 10. Mr. Whitelawasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that the National Agricultural Advisory Service staff employed on soil analysis is adequate to meet the demand from farmers for this important service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John HareThe N.A.A.S. is reasonably well staffed to provide the soil analyses which it requires in order to advise farmers, but I think it would be difficult for the service to furnish routine soil analyses on request.
§ Mr. WhitelawIs my right hon. Friend aware that in some cases farmers are having to wait a considerable time after their applications are made before their soil is tested? Is not this rather unfortunate, when it is most important and desirable that farmers should use this very valuable service?
§ Mr. HareI have sympathy with my hon. Friend, but I think he will realise that the supply of soil chemists and analysts to do this skilled job is limited, and that for all the essential work the National Agricultural Advisory Service is doing what it is asked to do.