§ Mr. MaclennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what proportion of the applications for agricultural advice made to the Scottish agricultural college in 1989–90 and 1990–91 were for advice which was(a) wholly publicly funded and (b) partly publicly funded;
(2) what are the trends in the demand for agricultural advice from the Scottish agricultural college which is (a) wholly publicly funded and (b) partly publicly funded, measured over the three most recent financial years.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThis information is not available in the form requested, since most free advice is given alongside charged advice but is accounted for differently. However, based on the number of invoices issued, the trend has been towards increased demand for charged advice; and the college estimates that well over 30 per cent, of professional advisory staff time involves the giving of free advice.