HC Deb 09 April 1964 vol 692 c1202
26. Mrs. Hart

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the estimated cost of providing facilities at the new Food Research Institute at Norwich for a continuation and enlargement of the research programme on post-harvest problems, at present carried out at the Ditton Laboratory, and of ensuring that the new accommodation at Norwich provides for the standard of tolerance for high humidity constant ten perature at present achieved at Ditton.

Sir E. Boyle

It is not possible to give any estimate at this stage of the cost involved in providing particular facilities at the new Institute. It is intended that the work on post-harvest problems, including those of storage and transport, should be continued and enlarged, and adequate facilities will be provided for this purpose.

Mrs. Hart

Will the right hon. Gentleman define what he means by "adequate"? Can he guarantee that the degree of control in high humidity temperature work will be as effective in the new accommodation as it is at present? This is a matter of considerable concern.

Sir E. Boyle

I know that this is a matter of concern. If the hon. Lady would care to come to see me, I will discuss it with her. The Agricultural Research Council is thinking in terms of expanding and not reducing the scope of the food research programme as a whole, including research on post-harvest problems, and I repeat my remark that all necessary facilities will be provided at this new station.