HC Deb 17 July 1985 vol 83 c186W
29. Mr. Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland, if he will make a statement on the basis of the proposed reduction in grant of the Scottish Institute of Agricultural Engineering.

Mr. Younger

The proposals set out in the consultation paper "A Strategy for Agricultural Research and Development" are based on the need to adjust programmes of research and development in tune with the changing circumstances and needs of the industry and the wider community, to achieve savings in public expenditure and to encourage increased funding from the industry itself Responses to the paper are being received and considered. No decision has been taken on the level of the future funding of the Scottish Institute of Agricultural Engineering.