§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will give the total amount of grant cut back from the Agricultural Research Council ; and what she estimates to be the effect on students holding postgraduate grants.
§ Mrs. ThatcherAs a result of the statement on 17th December by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the26W Exchequer it is expected that the total sum available in 1974–75, subject to parliamentary approval, to the Agricultural Research Council will be reduced from £23.9 million to £22.5 million. The figures include both the council's allocation from my Department and its receipts from funds transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. This reduction will have no effect on support for postgraduate students, which is in the main provided separately by the Ministry of Agriculture.