§ Sir R. Gowerasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the different controllers operating under his authority, are all drawn from the trades, businesses or activities with which, prior to their appointment, they have been connected; whether they are paid by the trading concerns dealing with the product they control; and, if not, whether he can state the exceptions?
§ Mr. MabaneI assume that my hon. Friend is referring to the directors of the commodity divisions of the Ministry. Not all these directors are drawn from trades dealing with the commodity with which they are now concerned, although it has been the policy of the Ministry to include at appropriate stages in the administrative1806W organisation officers having expert knowledge of the particular commodities involved. Such expert knowledge has not, in all instances, been derived from commercial experience. As to the latter part of my hon. Friend's Question I would refer him to the reply given on 5th May, 1942, to the hon. Member for Ipswich (Mr. Stokes).