HC Deb 09 July 1959 vol 608 cc1536-7
8. Mr. Russell

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which of the information officers on the staff of his Department has had journalistic experience in Fleet Street.

Mr. Godber

Of the three officers in information class posts one has had Fleet Street experience.

Mr. Russell

Is it the usual practice of my hon. Friend's Department to ensure that there is one journalist with Fleet Street experience and will that continue to be the practice?

Mr. Godber

Our practice is to make these posts available for those with this experience, provided that their other qualifications are satisfactory. We want the best men we can obtain, but as far as possible they must have some agricultural knowledge because of the highly important technical questions with which they have to deal.