§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will make a statement on the staffing costs, and future programme of work of his land economy directorate; and whether it is possible to put this work out to private firms of surveyors so as to reduce public sector manpower.
§ Mr. FoxStaffing costs of the land economy directorate will amount to about £250,000 for 1979–80. The directorate's function is to advise on policy and economic issues in the field of land use and development as the changing needs of the Department's work require. Considerations of confidentiality and the need for102W immediate accessibility of advice preclude the contracting out of this work.