§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, as a result of his plans to reshape the Ministry's organisation(a) how many divisional and regional offices will close and (b) how many staff will be made redundant giving the grades in each case; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GummerThe Ministry will maintain a presence at all its regional and divisional offices. Those which have not been designated as regional service centres will serve as animal health offices or ADAS—Agricultural Development Advisory Service—business centres or both. Detailed complements for the new regional service centres and for the provision of administrative support for the state veterinary service and ADAS are currently being established. We shall be doing all we can to avoid compulsory redundancies. Where posts are to be lost every effort will be made to find staff alternative jobs.