§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the Agricultural Development Advisory Service laboratories which have been closed since 1979 giving their location, date of closure and type of laboratory, distinguishing between research and development, veterinary, farm and countryside service or general.
§ Mr. GummerWork has been concentrated on fewer sites in the farm and countryside service, research and development service and veterinary service in order to improve efficiency and hence service to customers. The laboratories that have closed or merged as a result of this since 1979 are as follows:
815W
Date Farm and countryside service Accrington 1 September 1989 Bangor 31 March 1986 Caernarfon 1 April 1990 Carmarthen 31 March 1990 Cheshunt 31 March 1987 Crewe 1983 Evesham 30 November 1989 Kendal 31 March 1987 Liverpool 1987 Ormskirk 1990 Rhydmyn 31 March 1990 Shardlow 31 March 1986 Shrewsbury 1979 Wrexham 1982 Research and development Liverpool 1 August 1982 Tolworth 29 February 1992 Norwich 29 February 1992 Veterinary investigation centres Weybridge December 1980 Cardiff March 1986 Gloucester June 1986 Leeds June 1986 Northampton July 1986 Chester April 1986 Wye July 1991
Date Bangor September 1991 Lincoln September 1991
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the number of(a) scientists and (b) advisory staff employed by the Agricultural Development Advisory Service for each year since 1979.
§ Mr. GummerThe number of staff employed by the Agricultural Development Advisory Service as advisory officers since 1979 is:
Number 1979 1,252 1980 1,243 1981 1,240 1982 1,156 1983 1,183 1984 1,193 1985 1,202 1986 1,159 1987 1,069 1988 1,061 1989 1,003 1990 925 1991 876 Details for scientific staff would be available only at a disproportionate cost.