§ Mr. Hunterasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) how the work of the soil survey of England and Wales has been financed;
(2) when he will announce his decision about the future of the soil survey of England and Wales.
§ Mrs. FennerThe soil survey is the responsibility of the Agricultural and Food Research Council. My Ministry currently pays for the work—£1.9 million in 1983–84—and it is this funding which is being reviewed. We will announce our decision about future funding as soon as possible after we have considered the views of the AFRC and the Priorities Board for Research and Development in Agriculture and Food.