§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the full annual cost, including overheads, of his Ministry's purchasing activity.
§ Mr. CurryInformation is not retained in a suitable format to enable the full annual cost, including overheads, of the Ministry's purchasing activity to be calculated without disproportionate costs. However the Ministry's administration cost for purchasing was £1.68 million, as reported to the central unit on purchasing for the 1989–90 report to the Prime Minister. This cost was for administering a spend of £114.8 million on goods, £200 million on services and £120.7 million on research and development services.
§ Mr. DevlinTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many people in his Ministry are wholly or substantially involved in purchasing stores and distribution activities.
§ Mr. CurryThe total number of people in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food involved in purchasing stores and distribution activities is 250 of which 104 are wholly involved and 146 substantially involved.