Research and Development (Hansard, 3 March 1988)

§ 25. Dr. Godman
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of employment for staff employed in research and development in fisheries.
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43. Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of employment for staff employed in research and development in agriculture.

§ Mr. Tony Lloyd
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement about the future of employment for staff employed in research and development on food.

§ Mr. Gummer
We are currently reviewing all our R and D programmes against the background of the Government's more general reappraisal of science and technology priorities and our policy that industry should fund more of the work of benefit to it. Future staffing levels will, as now, be designed to meet our objectives in the most efficient and cost effective way.

§ 30. Mr. Harry Ewing
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received concerning his review of agricultural research and development.

§ Mr. MacGregor
The review is an internal exercise which does not involve formal consultation outside Government. But we are receiving views from a number of bodies in the course of the study.

§ 47. Mr. Cox
To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to be able to make an announcement about the future of research and development in agriculture, fisheries and food.

§ Mr. Donald Thompson
I refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Minister of State gave to the hon. Member for Knowsley, North (Mr. Howarth) on 4 February at column734.