§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many veterinary investigation centres were in operation in 1979; what is the current number; and how many are projected for 1996.
§ Mr. Gummer[holding answer 21 April 1993]: Since 1979, the veterinary investigation service has undergone two very thorough and carefully considered reviews which were designed to produce significant improvements in the quality, efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the service and to reflect changes in national requirements and methods of operation of the veterinary investigation service. Advances in diagnostic technology, automated analytical equipment, information technology and improvements in road transport systems have meant that a larger proportion of
Commissions with the Agriculture and Food Research Council Total research and development expenditure Year Cash £ million Constant prices1 £ million Cash £ million Constant prices £ million 1978–79 n/a — n/a — 1979–80 30.4 70.2 n/a — 1980–81 37.4 73.0 n/a — 1981–82 44.3 79.0 106.8 190.4 1982–83 48.6 80.9 113.9 189.5 1983–84 51.3 81.6 118.6 188.6 1984–85 52.8 79.9 119.4 180.6 1985–86 51.8 74.3 118.4 169.9 1986–87 47.9 66.5 118.3 164.3 1987–88 44.2 58.2 113.8 149.9 1988–89 46.4 57.0 113.4 139.3 1989–90 46.0 53.0 110.2 127.0 1990–91 45.6 48.6 117.6 125.4 1991–92 34.5 34.5 119.6 119.6 1992–93 34.8 33.6 132.2 127.7 1 Using the GDP deflator (1991–92 = 100).