§ Sir Walter Cleggasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has taken a decision on the future of the Torry research station; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JoplingI am still considering the role of the Torry research station, and the basis for the funding of its work, including the extent to which that work could have more direct commercial application. We hope to be able to arrive at detailed decisions shortly.
In the meantime, we accept the need, particularly in the interests of the staff concerned, to remove some of the present uncertainties surrounding the future of the station. I can confirm, therefore, that Tory will remain within the Ministry, and that is not our intention to transfer responsibility for it to the Sea Fish Industry authority or elsewhere.