§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cost of running the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee, including all main constituent costs of any sort whatsoever, such as expenditure 393W on its own programmes, wages, rent, heating and lighting and maintenance in the latest 12 months for which figures are available; and what are the projected costs for 1978–79.
§ Mr. John SilkinThe cost of the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee in the financial year 1976–77 was £4,700. The projected cost in 1978–79 is £6,800. The increase between these two years is due in part to a change in the arrangements for taxing travelling and subsistence expenses of members of the committee.
No allowance has been made for expenditure in connection with this committee on Ministry salaries and accommodation which would have been incurred whether or not the committee existed.