§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what payment was made in the last financial year to pedigree breed societies by the Meat and Livestock Commission for the work of identification of animals and pedigree recording as required by the Commission;
(2) how many of the staff of the Meat and Livestock Commission, not including those at the bull testing stations, are working on cattle improvement schemes.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThese matters are entirely within the responsibility of the Meat and Livestock Commission. I am sure the Commission would be glad to let my hon. Friend have the information if he asked them.
§ Mr. Wolrige-Gordonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ensure that the Meat and Livestock Commission and its programme of research and development is in accordance with Government policy.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartThe functions of the Meat and Livestock Commission, which is an independent statutory corporation, are laid down in the Agriculture 17W Act 1967, and they include promoting or undertaking research into the production, marketing and distribution of livestock and livestock products. Within the terms of the Act, the Commission is responsible for arranging its own programme of work, including research.
There is, of course, regular liaison between my Department and the Commission concerning the activities of the Commission, and we are satisfied that they are doing useful work. There is similar liaison, as far as its programme of research and development is concerned, between the Commission and the Agricultural Research Council.