Mr. Wellsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cost of the horticultural section of the advisory service for the latest five years, for which full figures are available.
§ Mr. John Silkin:The total cost of the horticultural section of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service for each of the last five years is estimated as follows:
1972 £2,020,000 1973 £2,139,000 1974 £2,611,000 1975 £3,867,000 1976 £4,243,000 These figures represent the basic staff costs plus accommodation and general overheads, capital and current expenditure for each year, and travel and subsistence allowances. Costs of the horticultural marketing inspectors and the running costs of the experimental horticulture stations are also included. The total costs have been reduced by receipts from the sale of produce from these stations.