Advisory Services (Cost)

HC Deb 08 June 1982 vol 25 c24W

Mr. Buchan

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the cost in each year since 1970 of Government advisory services to agriculture.

Mr. Peter Walker

The cost of the Ministry's Agricultural Development and Advisory Service, together with the equivalent services provided by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland through the Scottish agricultural colleges, in each of the financial years since 1970 has been:

Year	£ million
1970–71	16.8
1971–72	18.7
1972–73	19.6
1973–74	21.2
1974–75	27.6
1975–76	37.6
1976–77	40.5
1977–78	44.4
1978–79	50.8
1979–80	57.3
1980–81	71.5
1981–82	78.4

These figures included ADAS costs incurred on advisory, regulatory and research and development functions in England and Wales, and by the State veterinary service in Scotland, and those of the Scottish agricultural college on research and development and advisory work. Costs on a comparable basis for Northern Ireland are not available without disproportionate cost.