§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on his proposals for the future funding and manpower of agricultural research and development, particularly in relation to(a) the Agricultural Development advisory service and (b) the Agricultural and Food Research Council.
§ Mr. RyderAs announced in November 1987, planned expenditure on R and D by Agriculture departments will be reduced by £5 million in 1989–90 and by a further £5 million in 1990–91. The 1988 Autumn Statement announced a further £5 million reduction for 1990–91 and an additional £9 million for 1991–92. Together, these reductions amount to a total of £24 million by 1991–92, which is equivalent to £30 million at full economic cost. However, there will be an increase in the strategic research funded from the agriculture, fisheries and food programme of £2 million in 1990–91 and a further £3 million in 1991–92.
Final decisions on the future level of Government funding of agricultural research and development will not be taken until after consultations with the industry on the funding of near market research are completed. Those consultations will also be an important factor in determining future staffing levels of the Agriculture Development and Advisory Service on research and development. I shall keep the House informed of decisions taken to adapt our facilities and manpower to the policy on near market research.
The Agriculture and Food Research Council receives funds from my Department and through the science budget which is the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Education and Science who is also answerable to this House for all matters related to the council.