§ Lord Ferrierasked Her Majesty's Government:
What the position is about last December's proposals for the reorganisation of the Animal Breeding 1349WA Research Organisation in Edinburgh and its connection with the university there, and whether they will make a statement.
§ Lord EltonFollowing consultation on last December's proposals with interested bodies, the Agricultural Research Council issued a document in March entitledThe future programmes and structure of the Animal Breeding Research Organisation and the Long Ashton Research Station, which was widely circulated for consideration and final consultation. The main proposals for the ABRO, modified from the original proposals, were that the recurrent budget would he reduced from its 1982–83 level of £2.25 million to £1.2 million annually at 1982–83 prices, and an extra £0.4 million annually would be set aside for important new work of high scientific merit. The council confirmed this strategy at its meeting on 20th April, and I understand that it is now being implemented. The Council wishes collaboration between the ABRO and the University of Edinburgh to continue to develop, particularly to draw upon the scientific innovation for which the university is renowned.