§ Mr. Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what changes have taken place in the Welsh Department of his Department since the appointment of a Secretary of State for Wales in respect of the number and the Civil Service grading of the staff of the Department, respectively.
§ Mr. John MackieSince the creation of the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales, the Ministry's own Welsh Department has been strengthened by the appointment of an additional chief executive officer whose duties include the assembly and processing of information and statistics for Ministers.
§ Mr. Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the Welsh Secretary of his Department has direct access to him, or whether he channels representations through the Permanent Secretary or Under-Secretary.
§ Mr. PeartThe Welsh Secretary who is an Under Secretary of my Department reports in the normal way to a Deputy Secretary and on appropriate occasions direct to the Permanent Secretary. On any important issue involving his functions in Wales, the Permanent264W Secretary ensures that I am aware of the viewpoint of the Welsh Secretary, and, of course, I ask him to give me his personal advice whenever I consider this desirable.