§ 1. Mr. Errollasked the Minister of Agriculture why the capital expenditure on colleges and institutions increased from £155,000 in 1951–52 to £400,000 in 1952–53.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Sir Thomas Dugdale)This increased expenditure is required to meet the urgent need to modernise and expand research facilities as one of the basic means of increasing the output of food. There has been little building at most of the agricultural research institutes for many years and existing facilities are inadequate for the increased scientific staffs and for the work to be carried out.
§ Mr. ErrollWill the Minister, nevertheless, bear in mind the urgent need for economy all the time?
§ Mr. PeartWill the Minister resist any demand from his back benchers to cut down on very important agricultural research?
§ Sir T. DugdaleYes, Sir. I think that the economy referred to may be false economy in the long run. Some of our stations are world famous, especially those dealing with foot-and-mouth disease at Pirbright and at Rothamsted.