§ Mr. Sproatasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cost of running the Plant Variety Rights Advisory Panels, including all main constituent costs of any sort whatsoever, such as expenditure on their 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 expenses incurred in the financial year 1976–77 amounted £913.56. The estimated provision for 1978–79 is £2,100. 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 panels.
No allowance has been made for expenditure in connection with the panels on Ministry salaries and accommodation which would have been incurred whether or not they existed.