HC Deb 08 December 1953 vol 521 c226W
Sir A. Bossom

asked the Minister of Agriculture what special tasks have required the new appointments of four Horticultural Crop Intelligence Officers.

Sir T. Dugdale

The four Horticultural Crop Intelligence Officers report on the conditions, yields and supplies of fruit and vegetables, makes forecasts of available quantities and collect information on the prices received by growers. Horticultural intelligence is needed for many purposes, including output valuation for the annual review and the formulation of horticultural and marketing policy.

Much of the information was previously collected by the Ministry of Food, who have been able to make a corresponding reduction in their staff.