HC Deb 10 July 1946 vol 425 cc101-2W
Mr. J. Morrison

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total cost of, and how many officials are employed in, the pest control branch of his Department; how many of these are on administrative work; and how many actively engaged in catching vermin.

Mr. T. Williams

The number of staff in the Land Pests Branch of the Ministry is nine and the total amount of their salaries is £5,200 per annum; this staff is engaged on administrative, clerical, technical or inspectoral duties in connection with the campaign of pest destruction carried out by the county war agricultural executive committees. These committees employ about 2,100 persons on the actual destruction of vermin at a total cost in salaries of approximately£345,00o per annum.