§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will publish in the Official Report the proposed remit for the functioning of the combined Macauley Institute for Soil Research/Hill Farming Research Organisation, recommended to him by the steering group; and if this will be available for full public discussion.
§ Mr. John MacKayNo. Definition of the proposed remit is only one element of the work of the steering group and it would not be appropriate to have public discussion on interim stages of the group's deliberations, although consultation with bodies having a direct interest are being undertaken. The remit will be made publicly available as part of the overall report of the group.
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now appoint trade union representatives from each of the Macauley Institute for Soil Research and Hill Farming Research Organisation to the steering group set up to investigate the future of a combined Macauley Institute of Soil Research/Hill Farming Research Organisation.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe purpose of the steering group is to make recommendations on the implementation of those aspects of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland strategy paper on agricultural research and development relating to the Macaulay Institute for Soil Research, the Hill Farming Research Organisation, the Scottish Crop Research Institute and the specialist soils advisory and related work of the Scottish agricultural colleges. All of these bodies are represented on the group. It is intended to set up a specific group of representatives to consider the various issues affecting staff interests.