§ 4. Mr. D. Griffithsasked the Minister of Food why local food executive officers are not allowed to communicate with their Members of Parliament concerning the business of such an office; and what purpose does this regulation serve.
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§ Mr. StracheyI would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on this matter to somewhat similar Questions on 8th May, 1946, and 5th April; 1944, by the hon. Members for Taunton (Mr. Collins) and the Hartlepools (Mr. D. Jones), respectively, of which I am sending the hon. Member copies.
§ 16 and 17. Mr. W. J. Brownasked the Minister of Food (1) why both he and his Parliamentary Secretary have refused to receive deputations from the Society of Civil Servants and the Civil Service Clerical Association, the recognised staff organisations in his Department, on matters closely affecting the efficiency of the Department;
(2) whether he will now consider dispensing with the services of the 516 honorary food executive officers, to whom honoraria approximating to £35,000 per annum is being paid, in view of the fact that the control of the local food offices is being effectively carried out by the deputy food executive officers, who are not given the status appropriate to their responsibilities.
§ Mr. StracheyThese staff associations have asked that I or my hon. Friend should meet a deputation on the possibilities of dispensing with the services of the remaining honorary food executive officers. This question was raised last year by the associations through the normal negotiating machinery of the Departmental Whitley Council, but I decided that it would be unwise to make a complete change of this nature just now; I have promised to review the position towards the end of the year, and in the circumstances I feel that little purpose would be served by the proposed meeting.