HC Deb 10 July 1985 vol 82 cc450-1W
Mr. Hirst

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the relevant redundancy, pension and other costs of discontinuing entirely the specialist advisory services to the horticulture industry in Scotland.

Mr. John MacKay

As a result of the integration of specialist and general advisory staff in the agricultural research and development, advisory and educational fields within the Scottish agricultural colleges, and the close integration of these areas of work with individual members of staff covering more than one area of activity, it is not possible to estimate the cost of discontinuing the specialist advisory service to the horticultural industry in Scotland.

In the event that this specialist advisory service were to be discontinued the associated redundancy, pension and other costs would be affected by a number of factors (e.g. re-deployment of staff). It is impossible to speculate on such matters and I regret that for these reasons it is not possible to provide the information requested.

Mr. Hirst

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will estimate the cost of maintaining a specialist advisory service to the horticulture industry in Scotland for plant pathology, soil testing and other normal advisory service functions;

(2) if he will estimate the annual cost of the present advisory service for horticulture in Scotland, the number of staff employed, and the total annual cost of their salaries, expenses and other overheads.

Mr. John MacKay

Given the integration of agricultural research and development the advisory services and education in the three Scottish agricultural colleges, with individual members of staff covering more than one area of activity, it is not possible to provide precise details in the way requested. The estimated cost of maintaining the advisory service to the horticultural industry in Scotland is £0.5 million per annum.

Mr. Hirst

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate, at the latest convenient date, the acreage under horticultural crops in Scotland, the total number of people employed on a full-time or part-time basis and the number and size of horticultural units analysed in convenient categories.

Mr. John MacKay

As at June 1984, the total area of horticultural crops in Scotland was 11,417 hectares. Although 1,962 farms grew one or more horticultural crops, only 104 farms were classified as full-time horticultural holdings, with a total area of 1,211 hectares. Detailed information is available only for these farms. In terms of size, 61 were classified as small, 32 as medium sized and 11 as large farms. A total of 649 people were employed on the 104 farms. There were 437 full-time, 80 part-time, and 132 casual employees.

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