§ Sir A. Bossomasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is satisfied that the increase by five assistants, scientific, and eight industrial staff of the number employed at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is necessary; and what special duties they handle.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThere has been no increase of staff in the Assistants (Scientific) grade and the second part of the Question does not therefore arise. The explanation for the apparent increase in the 1953–54 estimates is that a combined figure for established and temporary staff in this grade has appeared for the first time. The increase in the industrial staff was due to a greater number of student gardeners being employed in the general interest. While learning about gardening these students perform the duties of the ordinary gardeners at Kew.