Mr. Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if any estimate has been made of savings which may be achieved by merging the Macauley Institute of Soil Research and the Hill Farming Research Organisation on the Macauley site in Aberdeen; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what are the estimated savings expected to be achieved by the proposed merger of the Macauley Institute of Soil Research and the Hill Farming Research Organisation on a combined site in Edinburgh;
(3) what is the estimated cost for transferring staff of the Macauley Institute of Soil Research from Aberdeen to Edinburgh for employment at the Hill Farming Research Organisation site;
(4) what is the estimated site value of land and buildings of the Macauley Institute of Soil Research at Aberdeen.
§ Mr. John MacKayNo detailed estimates have yet been made of the costs and savings likely to be involved through location of the new institute at either of the two main possible sites. The feasibility study will require to include assessments of the costs of staff transfers, the value of land and buildings and other financial, administrative and scientific aspects relevant to the consideration of the most appropriate location for the new institute.
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations have been held with the Macaulay Trust on the proposed merger of the Macaulay Institute of Soil Research and the Hill Farming Research Organisation on a site in Edinburgh.
§ Mr. John MacKayNone so far, but consultation with representatives of the Council of Management of the Institute, which holds in trust the land occupied by the institute, will be undertaken in the further studies which have now been launched.
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff will be employed by a combined Macaulay Institute of Soil Research and Hill Farming Research Organisation on a site in Edinburgh and how many staff will be transferred from Aberdeen.
§ Mr. John MacKayNo decisions can be taken about the number of staff to be employed by the new amalgamated Institute, or how many staff of the existing Scottish agricultural research institutes will be required to transfer from their existing place of employment until agreement has been reached on the precise remit of the new institute, on other questions relating to the location, organisation and staffing of the new institute, and on the allocation of the present work of the Macaulay Institute for Soil Research to the Scottish agricultural colleges and the Scottish Crop Research Institute.
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consultations he will have with trade union representatives of those employed at the Macaulay Institute of Soil Research in Aberdeen on conditions for staff involved in the proposed merger with the Hill Farming Research Organisation in Edinburgh.
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§ Mr. John MacKayA meeting has been arranged between the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland and the Institution of Professional Civil Servants to discuss a number of issues arising from the paper "Strategy for Agricultural Research and Development". Further discussions with trade union representatives will be arranged on specific issues as appropriate.
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be the remit of the feasibility study into the proposed merger of the Macaulay Institute of Soil Research and the Hill Farming Research Organisation on a site in Edinburgh; and if a merger on the Macaulay site in Aberdeen will be considered.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe arrangements for the feasibility study, including the remit, are under active consideration with the various interests concerned. The study will include an assessment of the relative merits of both the Bush Estate, Edinburgh and Aberdeen as a location for the new institute.
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the names of the personnel who will conduct the feasibility study into the proposed merger of the Macaulay Institute of Soil Research and the Hill Farming Research Organisation on a site in Edinburgh.
§ Mr. John MacKayThs study will be conducted by officials of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland reporting to a Steering Committee comprising the directors of the Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, the Hill Farming Research Organisation, the Scottish Crop Research Institute and the Secretary-General of the Council of Scottish Agricultural Colleges, as well as senior officials of the Department.