asked the Secretary of State for Air how many experienced horticultural officers are employed by his Ministry for food production and other duties for the whole of Great Britain including Air Ministry, London, Northern Ireland, Germany, the Middle East and the Far East; and what are the terms of their employment.

There are five posts of horticultural adviser, of which one is vacant at the moment, for stations in the United Kingdom and Germany. Elsewhere overseas, advice is obtained locally. The senior horticultural adviser is paid on a scale rising from £600 to £800 a year, and the others on a scale of £500 to £600 a year.

In view of the excellent production which has been obtained by reason of these officers, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the terms offered are sufficiently good to attract the right type of man?

The question of remuneration is under examination at the present moment.