Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make a short statement defining the duties and 1271W explaining the functions of the Land Commissioners; and, further, whether it is intended to fill these appointments by obtaining the release of Army officers?
Mr. HudsonThe duties and functions of the Ministry's Land Commissioners under war conditions may be summarised by stating that they are the local representatives of the Ministry in their districts for work in connection with the county war agricultural executive committee organisation and the home food production campaign. They are technical officers and maintain day to day contact with the executive committees and deal on behalf of the Ministry with all technical matters arising between the Ministry and the committees. They carry out all necessary inspections of land in cases of proposed acquisitions by other Departments with a view of enabling the Ministry to safeguard the interests of food production so far as possible. There are no vacancies at present and the last part of the hon. Member's Question does not therefore arise.