HC Deb 22 November 1920 vol 135 cc51-2
89. Captain TUDOR-REES

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture how many persons are engaged on the staff of his Department; what is the annual amount paid in salaries; what was the number so engaged; and what were the total salaries before the War?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)

The whole-time staff of the Ministry, including Kew Gardens but excluding industrial employés, numbers 1,781, and the annual cost for salaries, as on 1st November, including war bonus, is£573,480. The corresponding figures on 1st August, 1914, were 659 and£132,921.

Sir F. BANBURY

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what benefits the country has received?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

They received the benefits of the various Acts that have been passed by this House.

Colonel GRETTON

Do the figures include the cost of the officials working in the various localities?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

No; those are figures of the Ministry.