§ Mr. Markhamasked the Minister of Agriculture how many qualified scientists are employed by his Department; and how these numbers compare with those for 1930?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI presume the hon. Member is referring to the number of officers directly employed by the Ministry on research work. The numbers of officers employed at the Plant Pathological Laboratory, Harpenden, and by the Fisheries Department of the Ministry were 6 and 22 respectively both on 1st April, 1930, and on 1st April, 1937. The number employed at the Veterinary Laboratory, Weybridge, was 4 in 1930 and is 11 to-day. In addition a large number of scientists is engaged in research into both agricultural and fishery problems at agricultural research institutes, colleges and university departments of agriculture, at fishery laboratories and at other institutions which receive grants from Government funds. Their investigations are, of course, for the benefit of the agricultural and fishing industries.