§ 44. Mr. Kitsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people were employed by his Department on 1st October, 1964; and how many were employed on 1st October, 1968.
§ Mr. MackieThe number of staff employed by my Department on 1st October, 1964, was 15,566 and on 1st October, 1968, was 16,139.
§ Mr. KitsonCan the hon. Gentleman say why, when there has been a considerable reduction in the number of holdings and a considerable reduction in the number of people employed in the industry, it is necessary to have more people to administer his Department?
§ Mr. MackieMost of the reduction is in the number of smallholdings and nonviable holdings, which do not cause any work at all. [Interruption.] Oh, yes. Many of the holdings are of a non-viable character and are not holdings that we have to deal with through farming schemes of any description. I have a long list of the extra work we have done since taking over in 1964. It is too long a list to give now, but I will send it to the hon. Gentleman and he will see where the extra people are employed.
§ Mr. StodartCan the hon. Gentleman say whether, like the Scottish Office, his Ministry has put in a computer in order to save labour and has had to employ 100 people to work it?
§ Mr. MackieI should require notice of that Question. We have put in a computer.
§ Mr. CostainCan the Minister state the cost of this additional staff and the extra accommodation and offices required to house it?
§ Mr. MackieNot without notice.