HC Deb 07 February 1984 vol 53 cc754-5
11. Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many graduate scientists employed by the Agricultural and Food Research Council were involved in research work on 31 March 1983; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Brooke

I understand that, on the date in question, 3,961 employees of the Agricultural and Food Research Service in its institutes and units were in the science group. Three thousand and sixty-three of these were graduates, or had equivalent qualifications.

Mr. Strang

How do the Government justify the destruction of hundreds of agricultural scientists' and technicians' jobs? Do the Government not recognise the contribution that they have made, and can continue to make, to agricultural productivity in this country and elsewhere?

Mr. Brooke

Of course I acknowledge the contribution that is made, but in science, as in other subjects, one has to establish priorities, and the Agricultural and Food Research Council has, partly on the advice of a Select Committee of the House, made changes in its priorities.

Mr. Farr

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind, when considering the future of such research, that in Britain agricultural research is badly needed on an extended basis on certain subjects?

Mr. Brooke

I think that my hon. Friend may underestimate the contribution of Her Majesty's Government to the pure research done by the Agricultural and Food Research Council, but of course I acknowledge the work that is done.

Dr. Bray

Why did the Government go ahead with the cuts in agricultural research after having been advised by the secretary of the Agricultural and Food Research Council that they were contrary to the economic interests of agriculture? Why are the Government raiding the Medical, Science and Engineering Research Councils to pay the redundancy costs of agricultural scientists, who remain undiminshed in their economic effectiveness?

Mr. Brooke

The hon. Member for Motherwell, South (Dr. Bray) is in a particularly good position to know the answers to those questions, as he initiated an Adjournment debate on the subject, to which I replied, on 22 December. I revert to my earlier answer, when I said that the council is to determine what are the priorities not only within subjects but also between them.