HC Deb 19 March 1996 vol 274 cc149-50W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much funding the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research at Aberystwyth received from his Department in(a) 1985, (b) 1990, (c) 1992, (d) 1993, (e) 1994 and (f) 1995; how much will be allocated in 1996; and if he will make a statement. [20995]

Mr. Boswell

The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research was not established until 1989. Records of payments made to the institute by the Ministry in respect of research and deveopment projects are kept on a financial year basis only. These show:

  • 1990–91: £9,093,000
  • 1992–93: £7,164,000
  • 1993–94: £7,452,000
  • 1994–95: £7,426,000
  • 1995–96: £7,449,000 (estimate).

It is too early to forecast total payments for 1996–97 but, to date, some £5,823,000 of expenditure has already been committed.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations his Department has recently received from the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research; and if he will make a statement. [20997]

Mr. Boswell

This Department is a major funder of research at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research and, as such, maintains regular contact in the course of monitoring and reviewing its on-going research. Most recently, discussions have focused on the future scope and content of the MAFF programme on oat breeding at IGER. A formal mid-term review meeting was held on 13 March at which this issue was considered. No final decisions have yet been taken.

Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how much grant aid from the European Commission the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research received in(a) 1990, (b) 1992, (c) 1994 and (d) 1995; how much is to be allocated in 1996; and if he will make a statement. [20998]

Mr. Ian Taylor

I have been asked to reply.

The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research received grant in aid from the European Commission for the respective years as follows:

  • 1990–91: £30,000
  • 1992–93: £155,000
  • 1994–95: £458,000
  • 1995–96: £383,000.

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, which is the Research Council responsible for IGER, estimates that in 1996–97 IGER will receive £240,000 from the European Commission.