HC Deb 19 January 1976 vol 903 cc335-6W
Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what was the total cost of, and number of people employed in his Department in 1970–71, 1971–72, 1972–73, 1973–74 and 1974–75.

Mr. Peart

The information requested is as follows:

Average Number of Staff in Post Cost* £million
1970–71 16,005 33.6
1971–72 15,898 37.6
1972–73 15,629 39.7
1973–74 15,212 42.9
1974–75 15,169 53.6
*Salaries etc. (excluding fees and honoraria) and general administrative expenses (including all travelling expenses).

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food by how many the number of civil servants in his Department and other categories of public sector officials, including any industrial civil servants, increased between 1970–71 and 1974–75.

Mr. Peart

The numbers of staff in my Department fell by 836 between 1970–71 and 1974–75. Industrial staff are included in the figures but not casual seasonal and fee-paid staff whose numbers vary considerably over the year but on average accounted for perhaps 300 man-years in 1970–71 and 600 in the later year.

Mr. Madden

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether his Department employs any representatives or staff outside the United Kingdom and at what total cost on an annual basis.

Mr. Peart

Two veterinary officers from the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service are permanently stationed in Buenos Aires, at a cost to the Department of about £37,000 per year.

One ADAS officer is temporarily attached to the Commission of the European Communities in Brussels at an annual cost of some £6,000.