HC Deb 19 May 1960 vol 623 cc1481-2
37. Mr. Emery

asked the Minister of State for Commonwealth Relations how many full-time agricultural officers are now employed in the Bechuanaland Protectorate.

Mr. R. Thompson

In the Bechuanaland Protectorate there are five posts of agricultural officer, of which one is at present vacant. The vacancy has already been advertised. There are also seven agricultural and livestock officers, all of whom have diplomas in agriculture, and 108 agricultural demonstrators.

Mr. Emery

I thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Does he believe that this is an adequate number to be able to deal with the agricultural problems in the Bechuanaland Protectorate? Will he do everything in his power to see that that number is increased?

Mr. Thompson

We are certainly very alive to this problem. It is proposed to increase the number of agricultural demonstrators to 113, and other proposals are also under consideration.

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