§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many persons are employed by his Department in the Intervention Board for Agricultural Produce; what was the comparable total in May 1979; and what is the current annual cost of the board to public funds.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithThe board's staff in post numbered 521 on 1 May 1979 and 571 on 22 January 1982. The estimated cost of their wages, salaries and general administrative expenses for the financial year 1981–82 is £4,748,000.