§ Mr. Charles ClarkeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the food science research projects for which the Microbiology Group of the Central Science Laboratory bid in 1997–98 and which were deemed by the Independent Appraisal Panel to be of sufficient quality to merit his Department's funding. [36037]
§ Mr. RookerEight projects on food microbiology submitted in 1997–98 by the Central Science Laboratory were deemed by the Independent Appraisal Panel to be of sufficient quality to merit Departmental funding. One of these was commissioned, namely "Preparation of validation samples for use in the evaluation of microbial methods for the examination of foods". The Department does not reveal details of the projects which are not funded for reasons of commercial confidentiality.
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food which specialists from the commercial sector were appointed to advise his Department on how best to achieve a secure future for the Central Science Laboratory; and if he will publish their advice. [35962]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 24 March 1998]PA Consulting Group was commissioned, as part of the 1996 Prior Options review, to provide independent management consultancy advice on the future of the Central Science Laboratory. It would not be appropriate to publish this advice, which was provided on a confidential basis.