HL Deb 13 October 1982 vol 434 cc903-4WA
Lord Melchett

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many staff were in post on 1st April 1982 in (a) the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and (b) the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS), and whether they will state the number of ADAS staff giving face-to-face at vice to farmers that were in post on that date.

Earl Ferrers

The staff in post at 1st April were:

(a) Ministry 12,504½*
(b) Agricultural Development and Advisory Service (ADAS) 5,057½*
(c) Staff giving face-to-face advice to farmers 2,284
*Part-time staff count as ½ units
ADAS has played its part in contributing to the manpower savings required of the Ministry of Agriculture. While there have been reductions in face-to-face contact with farmers on the administration of capital grants and other statutory activities, the level of face- to-face advisory work is being maintained. Substantial numbers of front-line advisers have been recruited this autumn, notably in the Agriculture Service.