To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the total number of employees in his Ministry; and how many are (a) black and (b) disabled.

Figures taken from a survey covering 92·2 per cent. of our 10,048 non-industrial work force, with part-timers counting as one, show 416 staff to be of ethnic minority origin. The Department employs 141½ staff who are registered as disabled. This figure covers both non-industrial and industrial grades but does not include staff with disabilities who have chosen not to register and counts part-time staff as half units.