asked the Minister of Food what rank in his Department is held by his chief adviser on the distribution of home-grown and imported fruit and vegetables.

My chief adviser on these problems is the Director of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, a man who has been in the Ministry since the outbreak of war and whose advice was often sought by Departments even before the Ministry was established. Formerly a director of a firm of fruit brokers and a past President of the Wholesale Fruit Trade Federation, he was also a member of certain Ministry of Agriculture and Empire Marketing Board committees. He enjoys my fullest confidence and that of all sections of the trade, with whose representatives he is constantly in contact.

In view of that answer, may we take it that my right hon. Friend is satisfied that suggestions which had been made against this officer in the past are quite unjustified?

I am perfectly satisfied.