§ 73. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he has taken during 1952 and will be taking in 1953, to reduce substantially the administrative costs of his Department.
§ Sir T. DugdaleI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Orpington (Sir W. Smithers) on 27th November last. Between 1st January, 1952, and 1st March, 1953, the total staff of my Department has been reduced by 1,056, and I expect to secure a further reduction of over 800 in 1953.