HC Deb 15 February 1993 vol 219 cc87-8W
Mr. McAllion

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff in his Department are assigned to the market testing programme; how much the programme has cost his Department since November 1991; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Curry

The number of full-time staff in the market testing unit is currently 15. But a further 175 staff in various other parts of the Department have contributed to the programme, either in the identification of candidates for market testing or in the actual conduct of tests and the activities associated with them. The total cost of this to date is estimated at some £875,000. including external consultancy support.