§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what procedural and administrative changes are envisaged in the working of the Welsh Department of his Ministry in connection with the transfer to the Welsh Office of agricultural responsibility in Wales; and what progress has been made in effecting these changes;
(2) what is the current total of staff employed at the Welsh Department of his. Ministry; and how many extra staff are likely to be employed after the transfer of agricultural responsibility in Wales to the Welsh Office.
§ Mr. John SilkinExcluding the staff of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service in Wales who will remain part of a unified organisation for England and Wales there are some 670 staff in my Welsh Department at Aberyswith and in the five divisional offices 453W in Wales. Plans are well in hand for the transfer to the Welsh Office on 1st April next of most of these staff together with some in other offices in Wales. The future arrangements in the Welsh Office will be for my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps have been taken to advertise to staff of his Department additional jobs which will arise when the Welsh section of his Department becomes a Welsh Office responsibility.
§ Mr. John SilkinAn office notice inviting applications for additional jobs in the Administration Group in the Welsh Office has been circulated to all Ministry staff.