§ 70. Mr. BurnsTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to ensure that policy decisions are based on sound scientific knowledge and advice.
337W
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the new arrangements for research funded by his Department.
§ Mr. GummerNew procedures for the commissioning and assessment of research and development by the Ministry were formally introduced with effect from 1 April 1990. These will ensure that policy requirements are brought to bear more directly on the research that MAFF funds and, equally, that the research funded by MAFF has a direct impact on policy formation, as well as securing the best value for money in terms of both scientific quality and relevance to the Ministry's aims.