§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about the prior options review of the Institute of Food Research sponsored by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. [873]
Mr. Ian TayorThe Government announced on 29 September 1995 that all public sector research establishments would be subject to prior options reviews.16W I announced on 24 November 1995 reviews of BBSRC-sponsored institutes concerned with agriculture and plant sciences, and on 22 February 1996 reviews of BBSRC-sponsored institutes concerned with animal sciences.
A review has now begun of the BBSRC's arrangements for sponsoring the Institute of Food Research. The review was advertised in the September issue of Government Opportunities. This review is taking place alongside those of establishments parented or sponsored by other Government Departments which are carrying out work in similar or related fields and will build on any relevant recent studies.