§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many representations his Department has received concerning the proposed closures of the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service laboratory at Bangor; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JoplingMy Department has to date received three representations specifically about the proposed closure of the ADAS agricultural science laboratory at Bangor which I announced, together with the closure of three other laboratories, on 11 October 1985. A copy of that announcement was printed in theOfficial Report for 21 November 1985 at column 298–99. I stated there that the arrangements for maintaining the essential services needed in the areas concerned would be announced later. 656W Analytical services for the whole of Wales will be concentrated at the ADAS laboratory at Trawscoed, near Aberystwyth. Other advisory services will continue to be available in north and south Wales from offices at Caernarfon and Cardiff. Every effort is being made to find alternative jobs for the staff affected by these laboratory closures. The veterinary investigation centre at Bangor is not affected by these proposals, and will continue to operate there.