HC Deb 17 March 1978 vol 946 cc391-2W
Mr. Sproat

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cost of the running the White Fish Authority, including all main constituent costs of any sort whatsoever, such as expenditure 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 Silkin

The most recent published accounts, covering the 12 months ended 31st March 1977, show the White Fish Authority's total administration and programme expenditure from its own income—including technical charges—as £1,253,800.

The costs to the Exchequer in the same period, in respect of salaries and expenses of the members of the authority and the committee for Scotland and Northern Ireland, and the expenses of the White Fish Industry Advisory Council were approximately £28,000.

The corresponding items for 1978–79 are projected to be £1.57 million and £30,500 respectively.

No allowance has been made for expenditure in connection with the authority on Ministry salaries and accommodation which would have been incurred whether or not it existed.

Mr. Sproat

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cost of running the White Fish Authority's Committee for Scotland and Northern Ireland, including all main constituent costs of any sort whatsoever, such as expenditure 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 Silkin

The total cost of running the White Fish Authority's Committee for Scotland and Northern Ireland is not now distinguishable following the WFA's move to Edinburgh in 1973 when it began to share common service with the Herring Industry Board.

The cost to the Exchequer of salaries and expenses of members of the committee for Scotland and Northern Ireland was approximately £8,500 in the financial year 1976–77 and is projected to be £9,500 in 1978–79.

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.