§ Mr. MaxtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the budget for the agricultural advisory services in Scotland in each year since 1974, in real terms; and if he will make a statement on his plans for the service.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThe college budget for the agricultural advisory services in Scotland since 1974, expressed in real terms, is as indicated in the table. It is intended that support for advice which contains elements of public good will continue, but will be kept subject to periodic review. For other kinds of advice, the level of public funding is planned to decrease progressively, as the industry increases the contribution towards the cost of the services from which it derives direct benefit.
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SAC—Advisory Services College budget 1974–75 to 1991–92 expressed in real terms against 1974–75 baseline £ million AFD grant Commercial income Total 1974–75 1.221 0.073 1.294 1975–76 1.248 0059 1.307 1976–77 1.377 0.066 1.443 1977–78 1.443 0.081 1.524 1978–79 1.559 0.065 1.624 1979–80 1.537 0.115 1.652 1980–81 1.585 0.149 1.734 1981–82 1.929 0.206 2.135 1982–83 2.077 0.221 2.298 1983–84 2.144 0.236 2.380 1984–85 2.126 0.224 2.350 1985–86 2.189 0.207 2.396 1986–87 2.162 0.222 2.384 1987–88 1.878 0.430 2.308 1988–89 1.646 0.508 2.154 1989–90 1.508 0.612 2.120 1990–91 1.442 10.651 2.093 1991–92 1.356 10.707 2.063 1 Estimate—Assumes 15 per cent. annual growth (in cash terms) over 1989–90 figure.