§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what resources his Department has devoted to(a) food safety and (b) food standards work in each of the last three years; and what has been the total number of civil servants employed in these areas. [48905]
317W
§ Mr. RookerExpenditure for the three financial years up to and including 1997–98 on MAFF food safety programmes PP1:01, 1:02, 1:03 and 1:07 (as defined in MAFF/IB 1996, 1997 and 1998 Departmental Reports) was £27.3m, £28.1m and £29.1m, respectively. Equivalent expenditure on food quality and nutrition programme PP1:08 was £12.7m, £11.3m and £10.5m. During the same three year period approximately 300 MAFF staff were engaged directly on food safety and standards work.
The above figures relate to direct costs only and do not take account of the cost of central functions.
A detailed breakdown of expenditure and receipts for all MAFF programmes is shown in the above Reports, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.