§ Mr. Allan RobertsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with the Natural Environment Research Council regarding staffing levels at the council; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. JacksonMy right hon. Friend has had no discussions with the NERC on its staffing levels, which are for the council itself to determine. I am informed that the council has announced staff reductions involving 160 posts by April 1989, including some compulsory redundancies. I understand that only about 45 compulsory redundancies are now expected, half the number originally announced. These measures are part of the council's planning process to keep within its projected budget following a reduction in income from commissioned work.