§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has to make 27 members of the Soil Research Survey of England and Wales redundant; what consultation has taken place with them; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerIn January this year my right hon. Friend announced that, following a review of needs and priorities 665W in relation to soil research, my department's funding of the soil survey of England and Wales would remain unchanged in 1985–86 but would be reduced to about half its current level in 1986–87. This decision, which reflected the advice of the Priorities Board, also took account of my right hon. Friend's view that the soil survey had the capacity to develop its funding from commercial activities. My Department is in close touch with the soil survey on these matters and I understand that income from commercial work is rising. It is for the soil survey and the Agricultural and Food Research Council to determine the level of staffing in the survey in the light of the resources available from all sources.