The Earl of Cranbrookasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have come to any decision about the future of the Plant Breeding Institute and the National Seed Development Organisation.
§ The Earl of SwintonMy noble friend the Minister of State for Agriculture. Fisheries and Food announced on 28th November 1985 that the Government were considering the possibility of transferring the National Seed Organisation and part of the Plant Breeding Institute to the private sector. The Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Agriculture Ministers have now decided that this transfer would be desirable provided that it can be achieved on satisfactory terms. The Government will be consulting interested parties and will be seeking assistance from financial advisers.