HC Deb 19 October 1999 vol 336 cc554-5W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many persons were employed in his Department(a) 10 years ago and (b) at the latest available date. [92716]

Mr. Morley

On 1 April 1989, there was 10,577 staff working in my Department and its agencies. On 1 January 1999 (the latest published information available) there Was 9,711 staff working in MAFF and its agencies undertaking broadly comparable functions. In addition, there are 1,528 staff working for the Meat Hygiene Service who undertake functions which were the responsibility of local authorities in 1989.