§ Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the estimated annual cost for the current year of the salaried officers, rent of premises, office and transport expenses, etc., connected with the Domestic Poultry Keepers' Council and its area organisations; and whether there is now any justification for continuing to incur this expenditure?
Mr. HudsonThe estimated cost of the organisation of the Domestic Poultry Keepers' Council during the current year is £29,000. The number of domestic poultry keepers exceeds one million, a large proportion of whom are amateurs and need advice to prevent waste of foodstuffs and secure more eggs for human consumption. The Council is also responsible for similar assistance to domestic rabbit keepers. I consider that in these circumstances the expenditure of the Council is amply justified. I would add that the Council's organisation includes nearly 2,000 voluntary workers, whose efforts in this national cause I greatly appreciate.