§ Mr. Spencerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contribution is made by the United Kingdom to the international agricultural research centre for research in the semi-arid tropics; what assessment he makes of the research carried out there; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RaisonThe International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) plays an important part in the attack on the key problems of agricultural development in the semi-arid areas. We particularly welcome its growing focus on African problems. Since its foundation in 1972, Britain has committed a total of £6.777 million to ICRISAT. In 1986–87 our contribution will be £860,000. In addition, we are financing at British institutions sixteen research and development schemes, costing a total of £2.6 million, which support the ICRISAT research programme.