§ 56. Mr. HARMSWORTHasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the staff of the Ministry was 660 in 1914 and 1,500 in 1925, approximately, and that the aggregate of salaries in those respective years were approximately £125,000 and £490,000; whether he will explain the reasons for these increases; and whether he is taking steps to reduce the figures?
Mr. GUINNESSYes, Sir, I am aware of the position. It is difficult to state, within the limits of a Parliamentary reply, all the reasons for these increases. Briefly, the increase is due partly to extension of old services and partly to new services being undertaken by the Ministry. For further details I would refer my hon. Friend to the second Report from the Select Committee on Estimates, 1925, which states that the Committee "feel that the administration of the Ministry is efficient and that the enormous increase in expenditure since 1914 is due to a line of policy imposed upon the Ministry by Parliament, for which the Ministry cannot be held responsible." The number of staff of the Ministry is constantly being reviewed, but I am afraid that no reduction can be made at present.
§ Mr. HARMSWORTHDo the Government intend to take steps to reduce the staff and the expenditure of the Ministry, if necessary, by inserting a Clause in the new Economy Bill?
Mr. GUINNESSI have already answered that I am afraid no reduction can be made at present, because I do not see which of the services that have been imposed upon the Ministry for the benefit of agriculture can be abolished.
§ Mr. SPENCERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that a feeling is growing up among farmers that there will be no check on foot-and-mouth disease while he has the great body of officials to maintain that he is maintaining at the present time?
Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALLDoes my right hon. Friend think that the results obtained compensate for the enormous expenditure in these departments of the Ministry of Agriculture?
Sir F. HALLIs my right hon. Friend aware that many members of the Estimates Committee, to which he refers in his answer, were of opinion that there has been an enormous increase in the numbers in this Department, and that the results have not been commensurate with the expenditure?