HC Deb 29 October 1985 vol 84 c465W
Dame Judith Hart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on his response to requests for assistance to Scottish farmers following the bad summer in Scotland and its effects upon crops.

Mr. Younger

I refer the right hon. Member to my hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) on 24 October at column236.

Dame Judith Hart

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what assistance he proposes to provide to the horticultural industry in Scotland, in view of the serious effects upon it of the last two summers.

Mr. Younger

The whole of the Scottish agriculture and horticulture industry is facing considerable difficulties as a result of the exceptionally poor summer. The steps that might be taken by Government to assist producers are

Academic session (Full-Time Equivalents)
1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85
Central institutions* 1,283 1,326 1,353 1,352 1,354 1,363 1,376
Colleges of education*, 1,053 1,021 981 913 878 839 780
LA colleges 4,941 5,101 5,367 5,545 6,471 6,672 (p)6,752
Total 7,277 7,448 7,701 7,810 8,703 8,874 8,908
(p)—provisional
* These establishments are funded by Central Government through the Scottish Education Department.
Figures for the colleges of education and local authority colleges include a few academic non-teaching staff.
Before 1982–83 the Local Authority figures exclude part-time staff.