§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of 2130W Food whether type-written circulars have been issued from his Department inviting numbers of London meat salesmen to apply for posts in the Ministry of Food; whether the circular is headed London Wholesale Meat Trade Association, and suggests that the applications should come through this organisation; whether the circular promises employment in the Home Counties from £250 to £350 a year; whether retail tradesmen have not been circularised, and are apparently intended to be excluded; if he will explain why, if he wants efficient and able men, he does not advertise these posts in the "Meat Trades.' Journal," "Cold Storage," the "Municipal Journal," and one or two of the live-stock papers, and make the posts dependent on competitive tests and if he will define for what purpose these officials are required?
§ Mr. CLYNESThe answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative. Retail traders have already been selected to fill the positions mentioned by the hon. Member, and are, therefore, not excluded from the scheme. The number of applications already received. together with those obtained through trade organisations, affords sufficient choice without recourse to advertisement. The organisation in question is being set up for the purpose of ascertaining the amount of meat required from time to time in each of the controlled areas, and of regulating supplies accordingly, under the direction of the Ministry of Food.