§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how many additional employees would have to be recruited in the public sector 152W to meet the terms of the EEC Amendment Directive 75/431;
(2) what is the anticipated cost of implementing EEC Amendment Directive 75/431;
(3) how many additional veterinary staff would need to be recruited in order to implement EEC Amendment Directive 75/431.
§ Mr. StrangI would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. Member for Banbury (Mr. Marten) on 22nd March and to my hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich, West (Miss Boothroyd) on 25th March. I would, however, add that in the light of our consultations with representative organisations on staffing levels for inspection we believe that the actual inspection costs could well prove to be less than the sum we have estimated.—[Vol. 908, c.79 and c. 227–8.]
§ Mr. George Rodgersasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received relating to EEC Amendment Directive 75/ 431; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StrangWe have received representations from a wide range of representative bodies. In consultation with these bodies we are considering possible amendents to our proposed implementing regulations to meet particular points of difficulty while observing the spirit and principles laid down in the directives.