§ 68. Sir W. Smithersasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the costs of the county agricultural executive committees show a net deficit of £375,544 for 1953, he will now dispense with their services.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe figure quoted by my hon. Friend is not the cost of the county agricultural executive committees but the combined deficit on the trading services which they operate. These services have been substantially reduced in scale and in cost in recent years, and I am now within sight of making the remaining services financially self-supporting. Apart from their trading activities, the county committees have many other important functions and as an integral part of the system of administration of the Agriculture Act, 1947, they must be maintained.
§ 69. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture how many district offices of the agricultural executive committees and the national agricultural advisory service have in the past year been closed in the interests of economy; what savings have been effected; and to what extent this centralisation is to be carried further.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe local review started in May, 1952, and so far it has been decided to close 139 offices, 88 of which have been closed during the past year. In 56 cases the reorganisation has been completed and shows a net saving of 111 staff and £37,780 per annum in148W salaries, rents and other outgoings. I hope to secure comparable net savings in respect of the other offices. My aim is to close at least 150 offices.