Premise:
"This time, however, there were staff about; ladies and gentlemen in white coats, cradling test-tubes and flow charts."
Hypothesis: There were staff in white coats who had test-tubes.

yes

Premise:
"That area has considerably expanded since you were last around."
Hypothesis: The area is much larger than you would have remembered it in your time.

yes

Premise:
"Other Executive Orders and Statutes"
Hypothesis: The executive orders were made recently.
it is not possible to tell