HC Deb 15 June 1959 vol 607 c4
8. Sir A. Hurd

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when it is proposed to fill the post of Agriculture and Food Attaché at Washington, which has been vacant since October last.

Mr. Godber

The general duties of the attaché post are being performed by the staff of Her Majesty's Embassy in Washington for a trial period, but the technical agricultural work continues to be carried out by the assistant attaché who is an experienced officer of the National Agricultural Advisory Service.

Sir A. Hurd

Do my hon. Friend and his Department recognise that the previous Agriculturé and Food Attaches and their assistants have performed a most useful function as a full-time job and it would be a great pity if this direct link between our agricultural interests and those of the United States were allowed to fall out?

Mr. Godber

I agree that we must not allow the contact to fall out, but, as I have indicated, the assistant attaché, who deals with the technical side, is fully capable and the present arrangement is for a trial period.

Mr. Snow

Did such a problem exist before the war? If not, what are the particular circumstances which necessitate such an arrangement in the post-war period?

Mr. Godber

I should have to ask for notice as to the pre-war position.