§ 2. Sir A. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how the number of staff employed in his Department now compares with the numbers employed by the Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries and Food in 1951.
§ The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. J. B. Godber)There were 15,384 staff in my Ministry on 1st January, 1959, compared with 42,427 in the two Ministries on 1st January, 1951.
§ Sir A. HurdIs not this reduction of 27,000 in the Ministry staff a remarkable testimony to the efficiency and economy of the present Government in carrying on their agricultural policy? Will my hon. Friend make sure that his Department does not weary of well-doing?
§ Mr. GodberI would not dissent from the first part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, and I can assure him that we shall be diligent in trying to earn his further praise in due course.