HC Deb 12 December 1991 vol 200 c548W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many staff in his Department are working full-time on the effects of ozone depletion on the United Kingdom agricultural crops; and at what grades they are employed.

Mr. Maclean

The duties of a number of Ministry staff are concerned with air pollution issues affecting agricultural crops, although none works exclusively on ozone depletion.

Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list all studies commissioned or undertaken by his Department on the effects of ozone depletion on the United Kingdom agricultural crop yield; and what plans he has for future research.

Mr. Maclean

Against the background of the Department of the Environment's continuing programme of work on the effects of ozone depletion on plants, the Department is considering whether any complementary studies of the effects on agricultural crops would be appropriate.