HC Deb 28 February 1968 vol 759 c1398
25. Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many persons employed in the administrative class of his Department have owned, managed, or been the tenant of, a farm.

Mr. John Mackie

Four officers in the administrative class of this Department share or have shared ownership of a farm. None has managed or been the tenant of a farm.

Mr. Maxwell-Hyslop

Does not the minute number which the Minister has just given account for the lamentable inaccuracy of the forecasts of agricultural production each year on which the Minister depends for basing his own agricultural policy?

Mr. Mackie

No, Sir. I do not think that ownership, management, or tenancy of a farm has anything to do with administrative ability. If it is of any comfort to the hon. Gentleman, the one-third bias in favour on the political side makes up for it.