§ 24. Mr. DoranTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of fisheries research and development.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonWe consider that the Government should focus their resources on basic and strategic science and research of a public good nature and necessary to carry out its responsibilities. Against that background we have reviewed publicly funded fisheries research and development and are now discussing with industry organisations the extent to which they are ready to fund certain research at Torry research station which is primarily concerned with the development of new products and processes.
§ 56. Mr. GrahamTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the new co-ordinator of fisheries research and development for Great Britain is to be based in London or Edinburgh.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonSince 1972 this appointment has been made alternately for three-year periods by my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. My director of fisheries research, based in Lowestoft, became co-ordinator in January 1989.