§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food why the Brogdale experimental horticulture station is to be closed; and what arrangements will be made for the care and maintenance of the national fruit variety collection there.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe proposal to close Brogdale experimental horticulture station, which was announced to the House on 21 March, stems from the withdrawal of public funding from near market R and D. Final decisions on the closure of Brogdale will not be taken until consultations with industry have been concluded. We intend however to ensure that the national fruit collection is preserved, and we are considering what arrangements should be made in the event that the station is closed.
§ Mr. StrawTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what has been the total cost to public funds of(a) the Brogdale experimental horticulture station and (b) the national fruit variety collection there, for each of the years 1979 to date in (i) current prices and (ii) constant prices.
§ Mr. Donald ThompsonThe information relating to the gross full economic cost of Brogdale experimental husbandry station from 1981–82 is as follows:
Gross full economic cost (£ thousands) Year (a) current prices (b) constant prices (1987–88 base) 1981–82 502 672 1982–83 656 820 1983–84 739 882 1984–85 785 892 1985–86 917 984 1986–87 876 911 1987–88 881 881 Important elements of the overall cost of maintaining the national fruit collection are undertaken in common with support to other work undertaken at Brogdale EHS. Separate NFC costings have not been collected throughout the period in question, but on the basis of manpower required to maintain the NFC it is estimated that, as part of Brogdale EHS, the NFC accounted for some 7 per cent. of Brogdale's total costs in 1987–88, equivalent to some £60,000. It is not thought likely that this relative cost has been significantly different in earlier years.