§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money her Department has spent supporting the research and development of agricultural biotechnology since 1 May 1997. [72069]
§ Clare ShortFigures are not available in the form requested. My Department supports agricultural research which aims to generate benefits for poor people in developing countries by applying new knowledge to the management of their natural resources. Many forms of biotechnology are used as tools in this research but separate data are not maintained on their cost. Since May 1997 expenditure on agricultural research projects with some biotechnology content is estimated to be about £20 million. Expenditure over the same period on projects which involve genetic modification is estimated to be about £1.2 million.