Mr. Baker White:

asked the Minister of Agriculture what percentage of the poultry advisory officers under the National Agricultural Advisory Service are in grade one of the comparative grading of officers.

Some two per cent.; that is, two officers, including the chief poultry officer, out of a total of 85 permanent appointments.

Mr. Baker White:

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that in relation to the importance of the poultry industry, this is a very low percentage?

It may be a very low percentage, but I understand that appointments are based on qualifications.

Major Lloyd:

Is any free choice given to the poultry as to who their advisory officers are to be?

Mr. Baker White:

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many of the provincial chief officers, assistant provincial chief officers and county chief officers in the National Agricultural Advisory Service have special qualifications in the advising of the poultry section of the industry.

The hon. Member presumably has in mind the national diploma in poultry husbandry, there being no other course of training specifically designed for the poultry industry. This diploma is held by four chief provincial poultry officers, four assistant provincial poultry officers and 30 county poultry officers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the wide spread dissatisfaction and sense of grievance which prevails amongst officers recently appointed to all branches of the National Agricultural Advisory Service, and the importance of starting the new service with a contente4 staff, he will hold an inquiry with a view to the removal of genuine grievances and adjustment of the conditions which have led to the dissatisfaction.

Certain of the conditions under which officers have been appointed to the National Agricultural Advisory Service are still under discussion with the staff associations concerned, but in my view a special inquiry is neither necessary nor appropriate.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the main basis of dissatisfaction seems to be in regard to the form of examination, and could he direct his inquiries into that matter?

As I have already explained, these matters are still under discussion with the various staff associations. Wherever an officer in the National Agricultural Advisory Service feels aggrieved at his appointment, or at the failure to get an appointment, he has direct access to the Department. In fact, many officers have made contact.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why poultry advisory officers in the National Agricultural Advisory Service were graded so much below their colleagues in other branches of the industry; and if he is prepared to re-examine the matter with a view to re-grading these officers at an early date.

Applicants for posts as poultry advisory officers were graded in accordance with their qualifications by boards set up by the Civil Service Commissioners, which included officers of my Department and outside experts, and every care was taken to apply uniform standards of grading as between applicants for the several sections of the National Agricultural Advisory Service. While I am, therefore, unable to accept the implication in the first part of the Question, I have received representations from the Institution of Professional Civil Servants about the general position of poultry advisory officers and am considering them.