§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many offcials were employed by his Department to administer, inspect, regulate and advise the fishing industry either directly, in agencies or on special contracts(a) in 1992 and (b) at the latest available date; how many professional fishermen are in full or part-time employment; and if he will make a statement;
363W(2) how many officials were employed by his Department to administer, inspect, regulate and advise the farming industry either directly, in agencies or on special contracts (a) in 1992 and (b) at the latest available date; how many farmers are engaged in full or part-time professional farming; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryInformation on the numbers of staff in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, its agencies and the Intervention Board is set out in the "Ministry's Departmental Report on the Government's Expenditure Plans 1993–94 to 1995–96" which was issued in February, and which is available in the Library of the House. Although it is not possible to isolate the staff resources devoted to the specific activities listed by my hon. Friend, the report does contain detailed information on the functions performed by the Ministry and the resources consumed. Numbers of fishermen are set out on page 38 of the report, and numbers of farmers are set out in the latest version of "Agriculture in the United Kingdom"—also in the Library.