§ Colonel WEIGALLasked the Food Controller how man grain officers are available for the administration of the Grain Restriction Order in the county of Lincolnshire; whether any or all are empowered on their own responsibility to grant licences for use of corn unfit for human consumption; whether the same officers, who attend local markets, are also charged with the duty of visiting farms to examine sprouted crops; what is the total number of grain officers employed in the administration of the Grain Restriction Order and their total cost; what supervision is exercised over the grist mills of individual farmers; how many prosecutions have been instituted under the Grain Restriction Order, and with what result; and whether, owing to the dissatisfaction caused by the provisions of the Grain Restriction Order, without commensurate national advantage, the whole question may be referred to the Advisory Agricultural Council of the Ministry?
§ Major ASTORFor the county of Lincolnshire there are at present four grain officers. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. The duties mentioned in the third part of the question are discharged by the grain 1805W officers, in conjunction with the War Agricultural Executive Committees. The total number of grain officers in Great Britain is 144, and their salaries amount to £43,677. No control is exercised over the grist mills of individual farmers. There have been eight prosecutions under the Grain (Restriction) Order and these have all been successful. The administration of the Order has already been considered by the Central Agricultural Advisory Council and will be referred to them again.