§ 23. Mr. Scott-Hopkinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now make a statement concerning the future move of the John Innes Institute to Norwich; whether the terms of the original bequest are being carried out in respect of the giving of direct horticultural training to student gardeners; and what he intends to do with the laboratories on the existing site which were completed four years ago at a cost of £150,000 of public money.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe matters to which the hon. Member refers were fully discussed in the debate on the Consolidated Fund Bill which is reported in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 4th August. I do not think I can usefully add anything to what was said then.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsWill the Minister of State realise that he did not mention the reply to this Question at all when he replied to the debate 30 hours ago? Would he now do so? On the question of the cost of the laboratories and glasshouses there, can he give an assurance to the House that when these are sold they will be used properly and if possible for research, employing the equipment 1866 which was given and which was very expensive?
§ Mr. PrenticeAs I understand, the trustees have put up for sale the premises which will be vacated. I have no further information on that point. I promised to write to an hon. Member who raised this subject in debate on the night before last, and give him what information I could obtain on that aspect.