HC Deb 05 March 1997 vol 291 cc672-4W
Dr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what was the Welsh Office Agriculture Department's research and development expenditure in each year from 1980 to the present in(a) cash and (b) constant prices; [18028]

(2) how many veterinary scientists were employed on Government funded projects at the Central Veterinary Laboratory by his Department on (a) the most recent date for which figures are available, and (b)31 March, (i) 1995, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1985 and (iv) 1980; [18160]

(3) how many food and agriculture scientists were employed on Government funded projects at the Central Science Laboratory by his Department on (a) the most recent date for which figures are available, and (b) 31 March, (i) 1995, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1985 and (iv) 1980; [18159]

(4) how many scientists were employed on Government-funded projects at the Institute of Food Research by his Department (a) the most recent date for which figures are available, and (b) 31 March, (i) 1995, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1985 and (iv) 1980. [18161]

Mr. Jonathan Evans

None.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the scientific establishments receiving funding from his Department other than the Central Science Laboratory, the Central Veterinary Laboratory and the Institute of Food Research; and the number of scientists employed at these establishments on projects funded by his Department on(a) the most rent date for which figures are available, and (b) 31 March, (i) 1995, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1985 and (iv) 1980. [18162]

Mr. Evans

The number of scientists in each establishment working on research commissioned and funded specifically by the Welsh Office, at the end of March for the particular years, is as follows:

1985 1990 1995 1997
Institute of Terrestrial Ecology 6 6 8 8
Institute of Hydrology 5 4 5 7
Institute of Arable Crop Research 0 0 3 3
National Radiological Protection Board 0 10 10 10
No comparable figures are available for 1980.

In addition, the Welsh Office contributes towards the cost of work relevant to Wales in these and other establishments where the lead is taken by other Government Departments.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many food and agriculture scientists were employed by his Department(a) in Government-funded food and science establishments, (b) on Government funded projects at ADAS establishments and (c) on Government-funded projects at Agriculture and Food Research Council and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council establishments at the most recent date available; and how many were employed at 31 March (i) 1995, (ii) 1990, (iii) 1985 and (iv) 1980. [18029]

Mr. Evans

None. Work by food and agriculture scientists on behalf of the Welsh Office is carried out under contract or memoranda of understanding.

Dr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many scientists were employed by his Department and each of his Department's agencies at the most recent date available; how many were in each year since 1979 on research on matters within the responsibility of the Agriculture Department; and if he will list each agency, service and central laboratory employing such scientists. [18032]

Mr. Evans

The Welsh Office employs a number of scientific experts. There are no staff working in scientific grades with Cadw, Welsh Historic Monuments, the only agency for which the Department has sole responsibility. The Department has not employed scientists to work on agricultural research matters since 1979.