§ 1. Sir A. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why it has been necessary to increase the staff of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland to 2,371, an increase of 315 compared with April, 1959.
§ Mr. MaclayTwo hundred and eighty officers were transferred from the Scottish Home Department to the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on 1st April this year when responsibility for fisheries and certain other work was transferred from the former to the latter Department. The balance of 35 is the net increase in staff required for a variety of services of which I can send my hon. Friend details if he so wishes.
NET DECREASES IN CROPS AND GRASS AREA OF SCOTLAND — Building and Development Sportsgrounds Miscellaneous Total Acres Acres Acres Acres 1951–52–1953–54 … … … 9,700 1,400 3,700 14,800 1954–55–56–7 … … … 9,300 1,000 3,900 14,200 1957–58–1958–59 … … … 7,100 1,500 2,300 10,900 26,100 3,900 9,900 39,900 (a) Average per year … … … 3,300 500 1,200 5,000 Footnote—
(a) Between 1951–52 and 1958–59, 3,700 acres of crops and grass were described as being recovered for farming from Government Departments while 1,800 acres were transferred to Government Departments.