§ Lord Mountevansasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have any information on progress towards co-location of the Central Science Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
§ Baroness TrumpingtonWe are pleased to announce that terms have now been agreed with the Church Commissioners for the purchase of a site for the construction of a new laboratory for the Central Science Laboratory. The site is in the Ryedale District approximately six miles from the centre of York. It is anticipated that major construction works on the site will start in early 1993, but advance landscape planting and road improvements will commence this autumn. On the basis of current plans the scheme is due to be completed and ready for occupation in 1996.
The Central Science Laboratory carries out an extensive research programme and provides advice to protect the consumer, improve the environment, and to promote safe production and storage of crops. It also supports the statutory activities of MAFF in the areas of plant health, pesticide safety and pest control. The Central Science Laboratory will be launched as an executive agency in April 1992. Relocation from its existing dispersed sites to a new single facility will lead to greater efficiency and will equip the laboratory to provide my department with the required services in a more effective manner.