§ Sir Jim LesterTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has for the future structure of the agricultural development advisory service; and if he will make a statement. [24701]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Government have announced their intention to transfer the majority of ADAS functions to the private sector. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I are pleased with the progress that ADAS has made and, subject to its performance over the 1996–97 financial year, will be looking to take privatisation forward in the course of 1997.
The Secretary of State and I have agreed to create a new joint agency to take on those ADAS functions that need to be retained in the public sector.
The new agency will work only on behalf of Government customers. In line with Government policy on privatisation, it will not compete for work which is capable of being contracted out to the private sector.
200WWe expect the new agency to comprise around 400 professional staff and are planning for it to come into operation on 1 April 1997.