§ Mr. John Carlisleasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1), in view of the duplication of the service provided by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service by that offered by the agricultural trade, if he feels that substantial reductions can be made in staffing;
(2) how many persons are employed by the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service; and whether there has been any reduction in those numbers since May 1979;
(3) what was the cost of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service in 1979; and what is its estimated budget for 1980.
§ Mr. WigginOn 1 February the staff of my Department's Agricultural Development and Advisory Service—ADAS—numbered 5,416,60 less than on 1 May last year. The net cost of the service, inclusive of equipment and travel, was £43 million in 1978–79 and is forecast at £49 million for 1979–80.
ADAS collaborates with the private sector to avoid duplication.