§ Mr. John Wellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the cost of maintaining the provincial offices of his Department; and what part of this cost is for items other than wages and salaries.
§ Mr. John MackieAbout two-thirds of the staff of my Department, including almost all the professional and technical services, are based on provincial offices. The total cost of maintaining these offices is estimated at £20 million, of which salaries and wages account for rather more than £14 million.