§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what public funds were paid to the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service and the Agricultural Research Service in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. John SilkinMy Department's Estimates for the current year 1977–78 provide for a net total expenditure of £36.2 million for the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service. This sum covers the salaries of all ADAS staff, their travelling expenses, capital and current expenditure at experimental centres, research establishments and regional laboratories, as well as the cost of other experimental, developmental and advisory work, less expected receipts of 2.9 million for sales of produce and supply of services.
The Ministry commissions work with the Agricultural Research Council, and the current year estimate for this is £22.3 million. The total cost to public funds of the Agricultural Research Service is, however, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science.