§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on the future of the Natural Resources Institute.
§ Mr. GoodladFollowing the receipt of advice by consultants, my noble Friend the Minister for Overseas Development has decided that formal tenders should be invited to take over the future ownership of the Natural Resources Institute.
The consultants' report shows that there is widespread recognition of the high quality of work being undertaken at NRI. A number of universities have expressed interest in taking over, singly or jointly, the ownership of NRI. The Government welcome this interest. We intend that it should continue to provide a centre of multi-disciplinary expertise on the sustainable management of renewable natural resources. The Overseas Development Administration expects to remain a substantial customer for NRI's services.