Cheese Subsidy Section

HC Deb 10 June 1974 vol 874 cc449-50W

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the officials in the new Cheese Subsidy Section of his Department have any other duties.

Mr. Buchan

No. The staff in the Milk and Milk Products Division working on the administration of the cheese subsidy arrangements are currently engaged full time on this work.

Mr. Michael Latham

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the annual cost to public funds, both in salaries and on an appointment of administrative expenses, of the new Cheese Subsidy Section of his Department; and whether that cost is included within the £30 million allocated for cheese subsidy in 1974–75, or is in addition to it.

Mr. Buchan

The annual cost to public funds covering both salaries and administrative expenses is estimated to be about £24,000 in a full year. These costs are not included in the £30 million allocated for subsidy.