§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the names and locations of all the AFRC establishments that have been closed since 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe following AFRC research establishments have closed since 1979:
- Letcombe Laboratory, Wantage
- Weed Research Organisation, Begbroke, Oxford
- Meat Research Institute, Bristol
- Unit of Animal Genetics, Edinburgh
- Unit of Invertebrate Chemistry and Physiology, Sussex
- Unit of Muscle Mechanisms and Insect Physiology, Cambridge
The AFRC has also undertaken a programme of Institute restructuring which has involved some relocation of research establishments. This has been necessary to match the pace of scientific advance and opportunity and the shift in Government support from near-market to basic research. The concentration of AFRC's research base on to fewer sites will allow greater concentration of resources in its priority areas.
179WFunding to the AFRC from the science budget has increased by 37 per cent. in real terms since 1979. The AFRC continues to fund excellent work at the frontiers of science.