HC Deb 03 June 1980 vol 985 cc655-6W
Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if any of the 470 staff savings in his Department announced on 6 December 1979 have yet been made; and if not, when he expects them to be achieved and in what divisions, at what grades, and in which geographical regions.

Mr. Peter Walker

As a result of the abolition of the advisory council for agriculture and horticulture five posts have been saved. My plans envisage that the full savings will take until the end of the 1983–84 financial year to achieve. It is too soon to give details of the grades and locations of the posts concerned but since most will be saved from a simplification of capital grant scheme procedures on which consultations are still proceeding they will mainly affect staff in the regions.

Mr. Wrigglesworth

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in which divisions, at what grades and in what geographical area the 156 posts by which the staff in post in his Department contracted between 1 April 1979 and 1 April 1980 were employed.

Mr. Peter Walker

Staff in post in my Department was 13,956 on 1 April 1979 and 13,758 on 1 April 1980; the reduction was therefore 198. This is a net figure spread over numerous grades and locations. Reductions were most marked in office grades affected by recruitment restrictions and occurred mainly at headquarters and in regional and divisional offices.