§ 14. Mr. Home Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the funding of agricultural advisory and research services by his Department.
§ Mr. John MackayA consultative paper was issued in May by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland discussing a possible strategy for agricultural research and development services over the next decade and having regard to projected reductions in public funding. A similar consultative document about the advisory services provided by the Scottish agricultural colleges under revised funding arrangements will be issued later this year. Responses to these consultation papers will be carefully considered before any final decisions are made.