HC Deb 19 December 1985 vol 89 cc286-7W
48. Mr Livsey

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what bids have been received for the sale of the Plant Breeding Institute at Cambridge.

Mr. Walden

My noble Friend the Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food announced on 28 November in another place that the Government were considering the possibility of privatising applied plant breeding at the Plant Breeding Institute. No decisions have yet been taken. A number of private sector companies have expressed interest in acquiring that part of the PBI. It could be prejudicial to possible future negotiations to give further details.