§ Mr. MaxtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the number of Government research staff employed on work relating to pollution research in Scotland in each year since 1978.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe majority of Government-funded research staff working in the broad area of pollution research in Scotland are employees of research institutes and units which receive funding from United Kingdom departments and research councils. 241W Scottish Office commissions research projects in this area by contracting out to other bodies, mainly the Scottish universities and river authorities.
In terms of research staff directly employed by the Scottish Office to work on pollution research, almost all are located in the Agriculture and Fisheries Department's marine and freshwater laboratories. At these laboratories, approximately 65 research staff, at scientific officer and above are engaged in pollution research and this number has remained virtually constant since 1978.