HC Deb 02 April 1962 vol 657 cc10-2
14. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food how many officers have been recruited to the Agricultural Advisory Service during the last 12 months; and how many vacancies in this service still exist.

Mr. Vane

During the year ended 31st March 65 officers were recruited to the advisory officer grades of the National Agricultural Advisory Service. There are at present 20 vacancies which we expect to fill in this year's competition.

Mr. Boyden

While an improvement has been made, can the hon. Gentleman say whether these officers of the Ministry's Department visit the university departments of agriculture every year so that students taking agricultural courses in the universities know all about the service and have personal contact with the region?

Mr. Vane

I cannot say exactly how many visits are paid, but we have very close contact because we are anxious to fill a few vacancies among science specialists, and that is where they are to be found.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

Can the hon. Gentleman assure us that those trained officers in Kenya and Nyasaland and other African territories will be given a fair chance to obtain this employment when they come back to this country?

Mr. Vane

We are very sympathetic to officers in those circumstances, but the problems of agriculture in Kenya and other overseas territories are not necessarily the same as those here, and it is to advise people in this country that we want these officers to be appointed.

Mr. Peart

The hon. Gentleman mentioned a figure of 65 for recruitment. Can he tell us what was the annual wastage?

Mr. Vane

I am afraid that I cannot give an answer without notice.

15. Mr. Boyden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many officers in his Agricultural and Horticultural Advisory Services have qualifications and experience which enable them to give advice on marketing agricultural and horticultural produce.

Mr. Vane

County staffs of the National Agricultural Advisory Service, especially the horticultural advisory officers, are generally well qualified to advise producers on how to meet market requirements.

Mr. Boyden

That was not the Question. Have they some particular experience and qualifications when they come into the service, and are they kept up-to-date in respect of marketing while they are in the service?

Mr. Vane

We appreciate that this is one of the most important parts of their work; but, of course, to meet market requirements is one thing. The actual marketing of the produce is not the responsibility of the advisory service. My predecessor conducted an inquiry into marketing and other conditions not only in this country but in other countries as well. Our officers are acquainted with this report, and I think that the hon. Gentleman would also find it interesting.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

Would not my hon. Friend agree that one of the great difficulties in recent years has been that a great many of these advisory officers, who are fully qualified from an advisory point of view, have been giving advice which has resulted in the greater production of particular types of produce, especially milk, of which there is already a superabundance, and will he assure us that these officers are given some context in which to work concerning the general production policy?

Mr. Vane

The advisory officer gives advice to the individual farmer and takes into account his particular requirements. On questions particularly concerning marketing, he is prepared to help him to meet market requirements. We cannot expect him to go further than that.