§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cost of running the committees of investigation for England and Wales and Great Britain, including all main constituent costs of any sort whatsoever, such as expenditure on their own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe costs to my Department of the committees of investigation for England and Wales and Great Britain was in 1976–77 £1,567. These committees meet only at the direction of Agriculture Ministers and, as no direction has been issued since August 1976, the costs for 1978–79 are estimated to be nil.
No allowance has been made for expenditure in connection with these committees on Ministry salaries and accommodation which would have been incurred whether or not these committees existed.