§ 9. Mr. Wigginasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many officers in his Department are engaged in the collection of statistics.
§ Mr. MackieMost of the basic data are provided by farmers, food processors and fishermen, and by fee-paid market reporters. Some of our staff spend part of their time in the collection of statistics, but this is not readily quantifiable. The main work is in the processing of these figures, which involves the equivalent of about 400 staff in our statistics and data processing divisions.
§ Mr. WigginAs on the last occasion when the Parliamentary Secretary answered Questions he was unable to answer at least half a dozen, including such simple questions as the cost of growing an acre of barley, would he apply the 400 members of his Department a little more assiduously to their task?
§ Mr. MackieNo, Sir. We collect an enormous amount of statistics. To have collected the individual costs for barley all over the country would have cost far more than would have been justified.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattWill the hon. Gentleman tell the House how many officials in the Welsh Department and the Ministry of Agriculture are specifically responsible for advising the Secretary of State for Wales in his price review negotiations?
§ Mr. MackieNot without notice.