Mr. PERCYasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of Government directors and assistant directors of agriculture now stationed throughout the country and the total amount of their salaries; and what, shortly, are their duties?
§ Major BARNSTONI have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend presumably refers to the post of County Director of Agriculture. Appointments of this nature have been made by 26 county councils in England and three in Wales. The total amount of salaries paid is £22,939 a year. So far as the Ministry is aware, no county council has created a post of Assistant Director. The duties of the Director of Agriculture are, speaking generally, to take charge of all branches of county agricultural administration and to co-ordinate the work of all members of the county agricultural staff. In many cases the officer concerned is carrying out, in addition, the duties attaching to the post of county land agent or other subordinate officer, and his appointment is, therefore, not an addition to the county staff.