HC Deb 18 July 1995 vol 263 cc1057-8W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what proportion of his Department's research and development budget is spent in(a) Wales, (b) England (c) Scotland, (d) Northern Ireland (e) abroad; and if he will make a statement. [34889]

Mr. Boswell

The Department commissions a large and continually changing range of research and development to meet its policy aims. Decisions on the placing of work are determined on the basis of scientific and financial considerations and not on the geographical location of contractors. Consequently, the Department does not keep records of its R and D contractors by location. Such information could not be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.