§ Major WHELERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he has received any resolutions from the National Fruit Growers' Federation, urging that, in view of the success that has resulted from the work of the Horticultural Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, if any changes in the personnel of the Department are made, its head official should be a man thoroughly experienced in commercial horticulture; and whether he can make any statement?
Sir A. BOSCAWENIn answer to the first part of the question, I have seen the resolution referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, but it does not appear 1291W to have been sent officially to my Department. Speaking generally, it is contrary to the principle of the public service that a technical expert should take charge of administrative matters. So far as the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is concerned, each of its divisions and branches is equipped with the necessary staff for dealing with technical and commercial matters, and full advantage is always taken of the advice and experience of these experts. In this respect, the Horticultural Branch of the Ministry is no exception to the rule. I may add that I have been approached by the President of the Chamber of Horticulture on this subject, and have arranged to receive a deputation during the course of the next week.