§ Mr. Pollockasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of the national collections of industrial and marine bacteria.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithI have reached agreement with the University of Aberdeen for the transfer on or shortly after 1 January 1983 of the national collections of industrial and marine bacteria to a private company, The National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacteria Limited, which is wholly owned by the University. A copy of the draft agreement setting out the terms for the transfer has been placed in the Library of the House. This provides10W for the transfer to the company of the collections and of the scientific and other equipment used in their maintenance. This is the subject of a Treasury Minute which is being laid today. The collections will continue to be accommodated with my Tony research station in Aberdeen. The staff needed to maintain the collections are being offered employment by the new company.