HC Deb 28 October 1919 vol 120 cc508-9W
Mr. STURROCK

asked the Secretary for Scotland what are the present functions of the Scottish Director of Food Production; what is the number of his staff; and what is the cost thereof?

Mr. MUNRO

The duties of the Director of Cultivation (the officer to whom my hon. Friend presumably refers) are to supervise and co-ordinate the work of the agricultural executive committees. This officer attends meetings of the committees for the purpose of explaining the Board's policy and schemes, and acts as liaison officer between the committee and the Board. He is also charged, under the directions of the Board, with the administration of the provisions of Part IV. of the Corn Production Act, 1917. No special staff is assigned to the Director of Cultivation, but the necessary assistance is provided by the normal staff of the agriculture division of the Board. A section comprising one minor staff clerk, one second division clerk and two women clerks gives practically all its time to the work. The greater part of a staff clerk's time is also occupied, and a call is made on the senior staff clerk, the agricultural inspectorate, and the financial and legal divisions. In the circumstances it is not possible to state the cost of such assistance, but my hon. Friend will probably agree with me that it is not on an excessive scale.