North Pennines Rural Development Board

HC Deb 10 December 1969 vol 793 cc419-20

15. Mr. Jopling

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the work of the North Pennines Rural Development Board since its inception.

Mr. John Mackie

The board is reviewing the problems and needs of the area, and it is for the board to decide how far, and when, the results of its review should be published. The board is required to submit to my right hon. Friend annual reports on the discharge of its functions, and these will be laid before Parliament in due course.

Mr. Jopling

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the expenditure and staffing of the Board have risen at an alarming rate? In July he told me that the first year's expenditure would be £35,000, and he now tells me that it is £45,000; and he told me in July that the staff would be 8 and he now tells me it is 14. Why was I misled in the reply to my Question in July?

Mr. Mackie

There is no question of trying to mislead the hon. Gentleman. It is not easy to estimate things, including agricultural policies, as he knows. The board is probably working a little more quickly than we thought it would, which is a good thing.