HC Deb 07 July 1988 vol 136 cc735-6W
51. Mr. Wall

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussion he has had with the trade union movement about the future of research and development in agriculture and fisheries.

Mr. Donald Thompson

My noble Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has expressed her willingness to meet that part of the trade union movement which represents civil servants employed in research and development and agriculture, fisheries and food, when they wish.

61. Mr. Gregory

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has reached a decision on future funding of basic agricultural and food research and development.

66. Mr. Worthington

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to reach a decision on the future of research and development in agriculture.

82. Mr. George Howarth

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what discussions he has had with the agriculture industry about the future funding of research and development in agriculture.

87. Mr. Doran

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proposals he has for the future funding of research and development in fishing.

Mr. Donald Thompson

No firm decisions have yet been taken following the recent internal review of expenditure by the Agricultural Departments on R and D but I shall inform the House of the outcome as soon as it is available. It remains our policy that the Government should be responsible for funding basic and strategic research as we'll as work in support of policy and statute, but that applied research likely to be of direct commercial benefit should be funded by industry. Against this background my right hon. Friend the Minister held a number of meetings with representatives of the agriculture, fisheries and food industries earlier in the year and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Secretary has recently begun a further series of meetings with the sectors concerned.