§ Mr. Charles ClarkeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set out the extent by which the Central Science Laboratory failed in 1996–97 to achieve its formal financial target of complying with PES budgetary controls and the supply estimates; and if he will set out the reasons for this failure. [37963]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 6 April 1998]: The cash financial position for the Central Science Laboratory changed considerably during the year compared to the original plan. The extended and phased move to the York site, combined with the implications of the closure of the other sites, created a £467,000 shortfall compared to the PES target.